Cooperative efforts with Scotland to bring birds of prey back to Irish skies are in danger after eagles and kites were killed in a spate of poisonings.
Lethal weed killer strong enough to kill a man was blamed for the death of a golden eagle in Donegal in February, while several others have gone missing since the reintroduction scheme began in 2001.
Scottish authorities that allowed chicks to be collected and donated to the Irish projects have begun a full review of exports sparking fears they could pull the plug. A temporary ban is already in place.
Allan Mee, Golden Eagle Trust project manager, branded the poisonings a national disgrace. “The sad thing is that none of this needs to happen. Something has to be done about the poisoning situation or more eagles will die,” he said.
“It’s a national disgrace that we continue to mindlessly wipe out wildlife by using poisons in this day and age.”
The worst hit project is the white tailed sea eagle in Kerry. Since its launch in August 2007 five out of 15 birds released in Killarney National Park have been found poisoned - the latest considered the “flagship” bird.
It was the most adventurous of the group, and within a month of being freed thrilled boatmen and tourists around the Blasket Islands and the Skelligs before travelling the length of the island last summer to feed on Lough Neagh.
Red kites reintroduced in the Wicklow Mountains in July 2007 have also been targeted. One was shot dead within weeks of being released, one was found poisoned last month while another has been found dead of suspected poisoning near Patrickswell, Co Limerick.
Conservation body Scottish Natural Heritage has been severely criticised for donating rare chicks to Ireland where poisoning of birds is not completely banned.
The export licence is temporarily suspended and talks are planned for next week with the project managers in Scotland. Fears are growing that other donor countries could pull the plug on the projects.
The Golden Eagle Trust, the charity managing all three Irish projects with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, believes light regulation is to blame.
Alan Lauder, Birdwatch Ireland’s head of conservation, said governments have failed to adequately protect wild birds. “If these poisonings persist they will continue to blight the country’s reputation and potentially scupper attempts to restore some precious parts of Ireland’s heritage,” Mr Lauder warned.
There is also a huge cost to local economies in Kerry, Wicklow and Donegal. Eagles on Scotland’s Isle of Mull bring in about €3 million a year to the small island economy.
The Golden Eagle Trust suggested it is unacceptable for massive government grants - paid from a pot worth hundreds of millions - to be handed out to farmers where poisons and poisoned meat bait has been found.
PA