- The government has announced a new scheme to reintroduce white-tailed eagles, the UK's largest bird of prey, to Exmoor National Park in southern England, with up to 20 young birds to be released over three years.
- This initiative builds upon a successful project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, which commenced reintroducing these raptors on the Isle of Wight in 2019, aiming to restore the species to the region after its extinction in the 18th century due to persecution.
- Natural England has approved licences for releases from both Exmoor and the Isle of Wight this summer, with Exmoor selected to boost numbers and expand their breeding range into south-west England, an area where the species historically bred along the coastline.
- Since the Isle of Wight project began, 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released, resulting in the first chick born in the wild in England for over 240 years in 2023, with an additional five chicks born since.
- Despite some concerns regarding predation on livestock, a study of the Isle of Wight birds' diet revealed they primarily prey on cuttlefish, rabbits, fish, and other birds, indicating no conflicts with farming practices.
IN FULL
