Global outrage over eagle killing

More than £1,000 has been offered by falconry forum members

An international falconry forum has raised a reward to help find who killed one of the only breeding pair of golden eagles in the Scottish Borders.

The bird was found poisoned on Sunday and tests confirmed that the banned substance carbofuran was involved.

The news was posted on the falconry forum's website and a reward of more than £1,000 has already been offered.

Owner Paul Hill said the incident had caused "outrage" among his 800 members across the world.

The Scottish RSPB has already offered a reward of £1,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to a conviction.

You have got people saying what they would like to do to these people Paul Hill International Falconry Forum

An investigation has been launched by police and wildlife charities after the eagle was found on a grouse moor in the Borders.

One member of the International Falconry Forum posted the story featured on the BBC Scotland news website on Monday afternoon.

Within 24 hours the Torquay-based group had gathered more than £1,000 in reward offers from its members.

Information sought

"You have got people saying what they would like to do to these people," said Mr Hill.

"People are outraged really.

"The post has been looked at 1,200 times and there are 87 replies so there is quite a lot of feeling out there."

He said he hoped that by offering the reward it might prompt somebody to come forward with information about the incident.

Lothian and Borders Police have also appealed for anyone with information about the killing to contact them.