'Very disappointing' - Taoiseach shocked to hear of apparent poisoning of young eagles

Senior politicians have expressed shock at the poisoning of two young white-tailed eagles in Northern Ireland. 

Both eagles were found dead on a hill farm in the Glenhead Road area of Ballymena, Co Antrin on May 15, with the cause of death confirmed in the last few days by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin reportedly released one of the birds in August 2022 on the Shannon Estuary as part of a re-introduction programme by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). 

The Taoiseach said, "I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the death of the white-tailed eagles. I have closely followed the reintroduction programme for a number of years and to be involved in the release of the seven young eagles in 2022 was an experience that I will never forget.

"These are an iconic species, and the work of the NPWS in reintroducing them is something I, and the Government, am proud to support. There have been great successes in the programme over recent years, so to learn of a poisoning like this is very disappointing." 

The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, also commented, stating, "Like everyone who is captivated by the sight of these magnificent birds in our skies again, I am appalled at what appears to be a poisoning incident that has led to the death of two white- tailed eagles. 

"It has been encouraging in recent years to see birds nesting and rearing young hatched eagles here for the first time in over 100 years. An incident like this sets back our ambition but we won’t be deterred. Whatever misunderstanding that is out there needs to be challenged.

"Toxic substances such as carbofurans are banned and need to be handed over for safe disposal."

He confirmed the NPWS will work with Northern Irish colleagues, the PSNI and An Garda Síochána to fully investigate the incident. 

He said, "Wildlife crime is wrong at any time but in a time of a biodiversity crisis it is socially abhorrent and I would urge anyone with information relating to this incident, to speak to the PSNI." 

Director General of the NPWS Niall Ó ’Donnchú added: "I was very saddened to hear of the poisonings. White-tailed eagles are beautiful and rare birds, and while we are in the midst of a successful reintroduction programme, these setbacks truly matter. 
 
"The deliberate poisoning of birds of prey is a heinous crime against nature and an offence under the Wildlife Acts. These birds have no means of detecting that they have been baited and the malice of forethought in these acts doesn’t bear thinking about." 

One of the young eagles had been brought in as a chick from Norway in 2022 under phase two of the White-tailed Eagle Re-introduction Programme, and was fitted with a satellite tag so his movements could be tracked. 

He crossed into Northern Ireland from south Donegal on the May 1, 2023 and was found dead just two weeks later, alongside an untagged young eagle. 

The origin of the second dead eagle is unknown. 

Investigations by the PSNI recently revealed that both young eagles had ingested an insecticide called Bendiocarb. 

It is not known how the eagles ingested the substance, but it was possibly from eating a dead animal or other bait laced with the insecticide. 

According to the substance classification and labelling approved by the European Union, Bendiocarb is fatal if swallowed, and toxic if touched or inhaled. 

It is acutely toxic to many animals, particularly to birds, fish and some invertebrates such as bees and earthworms. 

Despite their toxicity, Bendiocarb, Carbofuran and other poisons continue to be used to target wildlife; earlier this year a white-tailed eagle was found poisoned by the illegal insecticide Carbofuran in Co Cavan. 

White-tailed eagles - who were persecuted to extinction in the early 1900s - are a protected species under the Wildlife Act.

The NPWS has issued a reminder that the use of poisonous substances for the control of foxes and crows has been illegal since 2010.