LAST UPDATE | 15 Jan

A TWO-YEAR-OLD endangered eagle has been shot dead in Co Westmeath.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is appealing to the public for any information in relation to the shooting of the eagle.

The female White-tailed Eagle was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme and was first released in 2022 on the Shannon Estuary.

White-tailed Eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movement through the reintroduction programme. Information from this eagle’s satellite tag indicates that she died sometime on Friday 6 December, the day before Storm Darragh, in the Ballynafid/Portnashangan area at Lough Owel near Mullingar in Co Westmeath

The NPWS has launched an investigation following the the shooting of the bird.

Investigating officers have established that the bird was shot and are awaiting further forensic analysis results that may provide additional information.

In a statement, the NPWS said that 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,” it said.

“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.

Those with information can contact the NPWS by emailing wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie, with the NPWS adding that all reports will be treated “in the strictest of confidence”.

Minister of State for Nature and Heritage Malcolm Noonan has also appealed to the public for information following the death of the white-tailed eagle.

In a statement, Noonan said he was “devastated” to hear of the recent shooting.

“White Tailed Eagles are treasured by local communities and visitors to Ireland alike and any loss resonates throughout,” Noonan said.

“I appeal to the public to come forward with any information that they may have in relation to this incident. I am assured that NPWS are undertaking a thorough investigation led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate with the support of An Garda Siochána and will, where possible, bring the perpetrators of this unacceptable crime to justice.”