Investigation underway as White-tailed Eagle shot dead in Westmeath

An investigation is underway following the recent shooting dead of a White-tailed Eagle in Westmeath.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched the investigation, and is appealing for information, following the shooting of the White-tailed Eagle beside Lough Owel, near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

The two-year old female eagle was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme. She was released in 2022 on the Shannon Estuary. Investigating officers have established that the bird was shot, but are awaiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information.

The NPWS said it deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.

NPWS is appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident.

As part of the reintroduction programme, White-tailed Eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movement. Information from the satellite tag for the dead eagle indicates that she died sometime on Friday, December 6, the day before Storm Darragh, in the Ballynafid/ Portnashangan area at Lough Owel.

Satellite information shows that she was present in the area over the previous couple of weeks having travelled widely across the country since her release in 2022. In early 2023 she left north Kerry, and spent time at various locations along the western seaboard.

She also travelled to Donegal and spent a lot of time making trips over and back to north Antrim, Fermanagh, Cavan and other counties, including visiting Lough Ree in the north midlands. Lately she had come back to Westmeath where she moved between local lakes - Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ennell.

Members of the public can contact the NPWS by emailing wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie. All reports will be treated in the strictest of confidence.