Skip to main content

Last surviving golden eagle in Wales was shot TWICE before it died from fungal infection, post mortem reveals as BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams slams 'idiots' who 'shoot at anything'

The last golden eagle in Wales was shot twice before it died from a fungal infection, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The bird was found by a walker this summer after surviving around 12 years swooping remote valleys and hills.

Naturalist Iolo Williams spent weeks tracking it as part of a BBC series - and was heartbroken after it was found dead in the Abergwesyn Valley, near Tregaron, Powys.

A post mortem listed the bird's death as systemic Aspergillosis - a fungal infection - but x-rays revealing it had been shot at least twice were later released after an FOI.

The bird was found by a walker this summer after surviving around 12 years swooping remote valleys and hills of Wales

The bird was found by a walker this summer after surviving around 12 years swooping remote valleys and hills of Wales

A post mortem listed the bird's death as systemic Aspergillosis - a fungal infection - but x-rays revealing it had been shot at least twice were later released after an FOI

A post mortem listed the bird's death as systemic Aspergillosis - a fungal infection - but x-rays revealing it had been shot at least twice were later released after an FOI

Naturalist Iolo Williams spent weeks tracking it as part of a BBC series - and was heartbroken after it was found dead in the Abergwesyn Valley, near Tregaron, Powys

Naturalist Iolo Williams spent weeks tracking it as part of a BBC series - and was heartbroken after it was found dead in the Abergwesyn Valley, near Tregaron, Powys

Williams wrote on Twitter: 'Having filmed this amazing bird, I was absolutely gutted to find that she had been found dead.

'The landowners in and around Tregaron where the bird set up home are also saddened and, to a person, were delighted to have the eagle around.

'Unfortunately, the discovery of lead shot in her leg shows that there are still far too many idiots out there with shotguns who will shoot at absolutely anything.'

Williams said it was 'highly unlikely' anyone living locally had shot the bird because they appreciated her beauty.

He added: 'I've spoken to so many landowners who were delighted to have the bird in their area.

'It just goes to show there are some people carrying shotguns who shouldn't be carrying guns at all.

'I'm absolutely gutted that the bird has gone and can't help feeling that we've lost an opportunity to get a mate for her.'

Williams described the death of Wales' last golden eagle as 'more than the death of just an eagle'

Williams described the death of Wales' last golden eagle as 'more than the death of just an eagle'

The bird was already something of a local celebrity - with a dedicated Facebook fan page detailing sightings but often going unseen for months at a time

The bird was already something of a local celebrity - with a dedicated Facebook fan page detailing sightings but often going unseen for months at a time

The bird was already something of a local celebrity - with a dedicated Facebook fan page detailing sightings but often going unseen for months at a time.

Williams described the death of Wales' last golden eagle in August as 'more than the death of just an eagle'.

He tracked the movements of the originally captive bird in the remote valleys of the Cambrian Mountains for his latest series Iolo: The Last Wilderness of Wales.

He said: 'Wales has lost one of its greatest characters.'

The golden eagle - with a wingspan of up to 2.2m - has been largely extinct from England and Wales since 1850 with the only UK stronghold remaining in Scotland.

The last one in Wales was originally captive but was freed to live over the Cambrian Mountains around Tregaron, Powys.

The golden eagle - with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres - has been largely extinct from England and Wales since 1850

The golden eagle - with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres - has been largely extinct from England and Wales since 1850

TV naturalist Williams said: 'The demise of this magnificent bird is more than just the death of an eagle.

'The Tregaron area has lost one of its great characters and Wales has lost a palpable link to its distant past. We are a poorer country without her.'

The eagle was collected by a television crew member who ensured its registration in the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme run by the Welsh Government.

The post mortem report gave the cause of death as asperillosis, and added: 'Asperillosis is the most common fungal mycosis in birds.

'Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous opportunistic organism and factors impairing the birds' immunity can predispose to disease.

'No underlying immunocompromising factors were detected on testing. There were extensive, chronic lesions throughout the carcass likely resulting in reduced feed intake, ill-thrift and dehydration and ultimately death.'

In an email released under FoI, correspondence from the Welsh Government said: 'I will be letting know the results of the PM but I will leave out the section about the shot.

'It is evidence that the bird was a target of persecution at some point but not a cause of death.'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o