Sir David Attenborough has named the first golden eaglet to fledge a nest that was brought to Scotland as part of a conservation project.
The 99-year-old broadcaster named the baby eagle Princeling, meaning young prince.
This, he said, symbolises new hope for the restoration of the species across Scotland and the UK.
The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to increase their numbers, has been at the forefront of this effort and has now expanded its project to England and Wales under Restoring Upland Nature (RUN).
Sir David Attenborough names golden eagle hatched in Scotland
Discussing the birth, Sir David Attenborough said: “Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.”
Chief executive of RUN, Dr Cat Barlow, added: “What an honour it is for RUN to receive such warm recognition from Sir David Attenborough for this game-changing moment in UK conservation.
“Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully.
“This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar.
“It is important to highlight that this success is a testament to the support we have received from the community, partners, funders, raptor workers, gamekeepers, estate managers and more.
“We know they will all share in our excitement at today’s news and look forward to continuing to work with them, and many new partners, as we build on our success and extend our reach into northern England.”
RUN chairman Michael Clarke said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Princeling and would like to thank Sir David Attenborough and all our partners and supporters for helping us mark this important milestone."
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He added that there has been "such a great buzz" at this success and that this project represents a "remarkable recovery story".
Clarke said that they "sincerely hope now is that Princeling’s arrival will cement a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for his survival as a totem of what is possible when people pull together."
He also hopes that there will be a renewed determination to "consign the illegal persecution of these magnificent birds and other raptors to the history books.”
