Conservationists have expressed deep shock and sadness over the suspicious disappearance of G834, a white-tailed eagle, in the North York Moors. G834 was the first white-tailed eagle to be born in the wild in Dorset for 240 years, as part of a rewilding project to reintroduce the species to England.
North Yorkshire Police are investigating the incident after the bird's satellite tag stopped transmitting overnight into 1 May, with its disappearance being treated as suspicious by the National Wildlife Crime Unit. The reintroduction project, which began in 2019, has released 45 eagles, with G834 being one of the few born in the wild, and has seen five more chicks born since.
This incident follows previous cases of persecution, with police investigating the disappearance of three other white-tailed eagles last year and two deaths in 2022. The loss of G834 is a significant blow to the rewilding efforts, as each bird plays a crucial role in establishing a self-sustaining population.
Authorities are appealing for any information regarding the disappearance, urging the public to report any suspicious activity in the area. The case highlights ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation, particularly the threat of illegal persecution to rare and protected species.
