Concerns are mounting after two golden eagles vanished in the hills north of Langholm, sparking a police investigation and fears of foul play.
Police Scotland confirmed that Tarras, a four-year-old male fitted with a satellite tag, has not been sighted since late August. Officers said the bird’s tracking device showed “suspicious patterns” before transmissions stopped between 27 and 29 August. Despite extensive searches with specialist resources, including dogs trained to detect both birds and their tags, neither the distinctive eagle nor his tag has been recovered.
Tarras was one of several young eagles translocated to the Borders in 2021 as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, a conservation initiative aiming to restore the species after decades of persecution reduced numbers to critically low levels.
Adding to concern, Tarras’ mate Wren has also disappeared. Police stressed there is no evidence she has come to harm, but the timing of her disappearance has raised alarm.
Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said “The data received from Tarras’ tag suggests that he has come to harm to the north of Langholm and efforts remain ongoing to locate him and his tag. We cannot say for certain that Wren has also come to harm, but her disappearance is worrying.”
Wildlife crime has long cast a shadow over birds of prey in Scotland, with golden eagles one of the most high-profile and symbolically important victims of raptor persecution. Satellite-tag data has repeatedly revealed suspicious disappearances in upland areas linked to gamebird management and conservation groups have described such losses as a major barrier to the recovery of raptors across Scotland.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Reports can be made by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1987 of 26 September, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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