Police are appealing for information after a golden eagle that regularly travels through Northumberland was found to have been shot at least 17 times. The four-year-old female, named Squeagle, was discovered with shotgun pellets lodged in her body and wings.
Squeagle's Journey and Discovery
Squeagle was fitted with a satellite tag to monitor her movements. In February 2026, she was moved from the Outer Hebrides to the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders as part of a translocation project by Restoring Upland Nature (RUN). After her release, she travelled through parts of northern England, including Northumberland, the Pennines, and the Yorkshire Dales.
On May 4, a photograph taken in Northumberland showed significant damage to her wing feathers. On June 1, gamekeepers on an estate in the Lammermuirs noticed her behaving unusually and contacted RUN. She was collected and taken to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross for assessment.
Injuries and Treatment
Scans and treatment revealed she had been shot, with at least 17 shotgun pellets lodged in her body and wings. Experts believe the injuries were not recent, as the wounds had already healed. Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said: "This was a serious attack on a protected bird of prey which I utterly condemn. Thanks to the quick actions of those who reported concerns, the golden eagle was able to receive specialist treatment and has since been returned to the wild."
Following treatment, Squeagle was released back into the wild on June 6, 2026. Her condition will continue to be monitored through observations and satellite tracking.
Investigation and Appeal
"Enquiries remain ongoing, and we are working alongside our colleagues in Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, supported by the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit to establish who was responsible," Lynn added. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland, quoting incident number 1361 of June 5, 2026.
