Concerns as plans to release huge birds of prey revealed
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to reintroduce one of the UK’s largest birds of prey to Wales after a 200year absence is set to be revealed.
In an exclusive film to be shown on BBC One’s Countryfile Winter Diaries, the reasons for the new project will be explained.
Golden eagles are rare and imposing birds that have been persecuted and culled historically, and are now reduced to just small pockets in the UK.
With their huge wingspans, some farmers fear the predators’ ability to snatch new-born lambs.
Nonetheless, recent reintroductions in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been declared successes, raising hopes that the bird could thrive in Wales.
It is thought that the plan could boost tourism in the Snowdonia region where the eagles would be re-introduced.
Today’s TV programme, which starts at 9.15am and will be available to watch thereafter on the BBC’s online iPlayer, will include a recent visit to Snowdonia by presenter Jules Hudson as he gathers reaction to the proposal.
Of all the birds of prey in the UK, only the white-tailed eagle is larger than the golden eagle.
The white-tailed species is largely confined to Scotland’s west coast but it is currently being reintroduced further east.
Meanwhile, plans for the bird to be released on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, have been opposed by the National Sheep Association (NSA).
The NSA has questioned whether it is appropriate to release a large predator when habitats and food availability have changed “immeasurably” since the species previously became extinct in England.
In responding to a formal proposal for the bird’s reintroduction, Phil Stocker, the NSA’s chief executive, urged Natural England to carefully consider “whether we really think we have the abundance of food sources to sustain a healthy population without these birds having to turn to stealing lambs and even small domestic animals to survive”.