Golden Eagle Found With 17 Shotgun Pellets in Scotland as Police Investigate Wildlife Crime

A protected golden eagle released in the Scottish Borders has been found with 17 shotgun pellets in her body and wings, prompting a wildlife crime investigation across Scotland and northern England.

The four-year-old bird, named Squeagle, survived the shooting and has since been returned to the wild after specialist treatment. Police are now trying to establish where and when she was shot.

Golden eagle found injured after Scotland release

Squeagle was moved from the Outer Hebrides to the Lammermuir Hills in February 2026 as part of a conservation effort to support golden eagles in southern Scotland.

After release, she travelled through Northumberland, the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales. That wide route has made the investigation more difficult because the bird may have been shot before returning to the Lammermuirs.

A photograph taken in Northumberland on May 4 showed significant damage to her wing feathers, giving investigators an important early clue in the timeline.

Scans revealed 17 shotgun pellets

On June 1, gamekeepers on an estate in the Lammermuir Hills became concerned after noticing Squeagle behaving unusually. She was collected and taken to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross.

Veterinary scans revealed at least 17 shotgun pellets lodged in her body and wings. Experts believe the injuries were not recent because the wounds had already healed by the time she was examined.

That means police are looking at a wider window of time, not just the area where the eagle was rescued.

Squeagle returned to the wild

After specialist treatment, Squeagle was released back into the wild on June 6. Her condition will continue to be monitored through observations and satellite tracking.

Satellite tracking is important in cases involving protected birds of prey because it helps conservation teams detect unusual movements, delayed recovery problems and possible future risks.

Police appeal for information

Detective Sergeant David Lynn, Police Scotland’s national wildlife crime co-ordinator, condemned the shooting as a serious attack on a protected bird of prey.

Police Scotland is working with officers in Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, supported by the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, to identify who was responsible.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Police Scotland, quoting incident number 1361 of June 5.

Why golden eagles are protected

Golden eagles are rare birds of Scotland’s mountains and moorlands and are strictly protected under UK and Scottish law. It is a criminal offence to intentionally kill or injure them.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust describes the golden eagle as one of Scotland’s most powerful upland birds, closely associated with remote mountain and moorland habitats.

NatureScot has warned that perceived conflicts between golden eagles and upland land use have contributed to decades of persecution. That is why shootings and unexplained disappearances remain major concerns for conservationists.

Previous golden eagle cases raise concern

Squeagle’s case follows other incidents involving golden eagles in Scotland and northern England.

In February 2026, police investigated after a golden eagle named Hamlet was shot in southern Scotland. He later made a full recovery despite shotgun pellet injuries to his wing.

In October 2023, another golden eagle, Merrick, disappeared from her usual hunting grounds across southern Scotland and northern England. Police later said they believed she had been shot.

Why this case matters

The case highlights the challenge of protecting rare birds across large rural landscapes. Squeagle was able to keep moving after being shot, which made the injuries harder to detect quickly.

For conservation teams, her survival is encouraging, but the discovery of 17 pellets shows the serious risks facing protected raptors even after release and monitoring.

The investigation also shows why public reporting, satellite tracking and fast veterinary support matter. Without those steps, a wounded protected bird may disappear before anyone understands what happened.

Rare wildlife cases often draw attention because they show how vulnerable protected species can remain even after conservation progress. A recent Migaloo white whale sighting off the NSW coast similarly renewed interest in monitoring rare animals and protecting fragile wildlife populations.