A massive operation involving police and RSPB officials has been launched to trace a missing rare bird near Strathdon in Aberdeenshire.
There are major concerns for the satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle, which is the first to be raised in the east of Scotland in almost 200 years.
When it was fledged in Fife, it marked a significant progression of a re-introduction project to return the species to the area following its extinction a century ago.
Its last recorded movements were tracked from North Glenbuchat Estate, in Aberdeenshire, on April 10. A police spokesman said: “We are concerned for the welfare of a white-tailed eagle and enquiries are ongoing to locate the bird.
“Around April 10, we became aware that the bird was missing as there were no further recordings from its transmitter. As a result searches have been carried out in the area.”
RSPB Scotland’s head of investigations, Ian Thomson, described the disappearance of the bird as “very depressing.”
He added: “It is particularly so since it joins a list of other satellite-tagged eagles that have vanished on the grouse moors of Upper Donside in the last few years. It is significant that the only carcase found was that of an illegally poisoned golden eagle back in 2011.
“Four other satellite-tagged golden eagles have disappeared in the same area, without trace or further transmissions from the tag, in the last five years.
“This area has become a black hole for eagles”.
The investigations come as inquiries continue into the deaths of 20 birds of prey in the north of Scotland.
They were found in a two square mile area south-east of Conon Bridge, centred around Conon Brae, Balavil, Leanaig and Alcaig.
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