The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched an investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle in Glencar, Co Kerry.

Test results confirmed that the eagle was poisoned with carbofuran, an insecticide that has been banned in Ireland since 2007.

It is not yet known how the eagle ingested the substance.

The eagle was brought as a chick from Norway in 2024 as part of the white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme and was released in Killarney National Park. All eagles on this programme are monitored via satellite tags.

Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle’s satellite tag showed no movement for several days.

NPWS staff went to the last known location shown by the tag to locate the eagle.

Reoccuring issue

This is not the first incidence of death of an eagle on the programme. A male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years was recently found dead, also suspected of being poisoned, the NPWS said.

The NPWS said that persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland.

The misuse or illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths, it added.

Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan has said that “any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable”.

“The white-tailed eagle is part of Ireland’s natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.”

Appeal

The NPWS is appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds.

In the interest of health and safety, the NPWS has appealed to the public not to handle any dead birds.