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DRAMATIC photographs of a sea eagle carrying away a lamb in its talons provoked lively debate about wildlife, conservation and farming.

David McLoughlin posted: ‘Probably not happy but we Can’t stop nature we have to live with it. We ran this bird to extinction in this country we should be proud they are now coming back.’

Lucy Nicholson explained: ‘I am not lucy nicholson I am her husband and a farmer and know sea eagles take lambs but conservationists are talking of reintroducing lynx more lambs decimated but am sure it will bring in the holidaymakers.

Alex Eaton slammed: ‘I hate when conservationists think to solve one prob- lem you introduce another species like the lynx into the food chain and hope it only does what you want it to do, how many times has reintroducing animals back into the wild actually worked without affecting unintentionally other species and landscape around it? Just think of the extra cost to farmers to protect their livestock from lynx as well.’ Katharine Elwis offered: ‘I have heard RSPB representatives say, categorically, that these birds do not take lambs. Farmers beg to differ.’

Kirstine Hancock wrote: ‘ We ( humans) breed and kill thousands of lamb every year for food..... but god forbid any other animal should do the same as us!’

Donald Bowness quipped: ‘ Wow a sea eagle takes a lamb when thousands are killed every day to put food on our tables. That eagle has more right than us to have it!’

Laura Cook said: ‘Crows are dreadful creatures too, they remove the eyes of lambs and sheep, given half a chance, I can’t remember if it’s the crow, or the raven that takes the tongues of lambs. The difference is, farmers can and do control numbers of crows, where Ravens are protected.’

Megan Seacord posted: ‘I’ve gone from thinking ravens were clever and admirable to having a raging hatred for their butchering ways. I’d happily shoot them all.’