Police are treating the disappearance of a golden eagle as suspicious and imagine the chook has come to hurt.
The chook of prey, named Merrick, was final seen within the Fountainhall space of the Scottish Borders, between Heriot and Stow, on 12 October.
The disappearance was reported a couple of days later to Police Scotland, which is investigating.
Detective Sergeant David Lynn, who’s wildlife crime coordinator, mentioned: “A full search of this space was carried out and officers imagine the chook has come to hurt and are treating its disappearance as suspicious.
“We are decided to guard these magnificent birds.”
The disappearance of Merrick is being handled as suspicious. Pic: Gordon Macpherson
The lack of Merrick – who’s a satellite-tagged – is a blow to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, which goals to spice up numbers of the chook species.
The conservation group mentioned Merrick moved from Rottal Estate close to Kirriemuir within the Angus Glens, a standard sporting property, to the Scottish Borders in 2022.
Before her disappearance, she was mentioned to be “thriving and exploring” throughout south of Scotland and Northern England.
She was photographed in Weardale and filmed within the Nidderdale space.
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Michael Clarke, chairman of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, mentioned: “The disappearance of any golden eagle is extraordinarily upsetting, however notably when there may be proof to recommend that they’ve come to hurt beneath suspicious circumstances.
“The undertaking’s translocated eagles have captured the hearts and minds of many individuals, together with youngsters, who will all share in our utter shock, disappointment and unhappiness on the nature of Merrick’s disappearance.”
