Rare eagle killed by 'poison'

Sea eagles are extremely rare

A rare eagle has been found dead in the west of Scotland in what is being treated by police as a case of poisoning.

The white-tailed sea eagle, Britain's rarest variety of the bird, was found together with the carcass of a lamb at a farm near Kilmelford, about 20km south of Oban.

Strathclyde Police said chemicals were recovered in the area last Friday - two days after the bird was found - which have been sent for analysis.

The find follows the discovery of a poisoned golden eagle near the same farm in February this year and a similar find in the area four years ago.

Pc Finlay Christine, of Mull Police Office, said: "The white-tailed sea eagle is the rarest type of eagle in Britain, yet many are spotted in the west coast of Scotland, particularly Mull and Skye.

"I find it quite disturbing that someone has deliberately poisoned such a rare bird."

Strathclyde Police mounted its annual campaign against bird and egg thieves, Operation Easter, last month, and said no thefts were reported during the week of the operation.