Two golden eagles have disappeared from a Perthshire grouse moor in “suspicious circumstances”.
The two satellite-tagged birds Adam and Charlie, which were being monitored as part of a study into young golden eagles in Scotland, have vanished from the Auchnafree Estate near Dunkeld.
Adam and Charlie are said to have disappeared within hours of each other on April 18 and their tags have stopped working.
Neither bird has been traced, and Police Scotland are now investigating an area between Loch Tay and Glen Almond.
Alix Whitaker, a spokesperson for the Auchnafree Estate, said: “We were absolutely shocked to learn that these two eagles were missing.
“They have been around the estate for some time now and we were delighted to have them.
“We have been told by the police that neither the estate nor its staff were involved in their apparent disappearance.
“No one knows what has happened to these birds and we would urge anyone with information to make contact with Police Scotland as soon as possible.
“We have also written to neighbouring estates to ask them to help.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association said: “Where there is evidence wildlife crime has taken place, the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association acts and acts robustly, as we have done on seven occasions in the past seven years by expelling members who have committed wildlife crime offences.
“We have a very strict policy regarding this.
“We have been heartened by record low wildlife crime rates in Scotland, according to Scottish Government’s own official statistics, but we have concerns regarding missing satellite tagged birds which are being monitored by non-independent agencies.”
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Adam and Charlie is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or the RSPB via its confidential raptor crime hotline, 0300 999 0101.
This comes as a review by the Scottish Government into grouse moor management practices is expected to be published in the coming months.
