Natural
England has issued a licence to allow the release of white-tailed eagles on the
Isle of Wight.
The
issued the following press release
The
release is part of a project, led by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and
Forestry England, to establish a breeding population of white-tailed eagles in
southern England.
White-tailed
eagles became extinct as a breeding species in England in the eighteenth
century. Releases over the past 40 years have successfully re-established
breeding populations in Scotland and Ireland.
Natural
England has very carefully considered all aspects of the licence application. I
would like to personally thank the expert working group of local staff and
national specialists who have carefully tested the application against our
licensing criteria and the IUCN: International Union for Conservation of
Nature's Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations.
We have
paid particular attention to:
the
impacts on other wildlife and socio-economic interests, including livestock
the risk
of disease transmission
the
feasibility of the proposal and likely success
any risk
to the donor population
the
contribution to the conservation of white-tailed eagles
the
adequacy of the applicant’s consultation, the evidence of support and how
issues raised will be addressed
the
applicant’s experience
the
applicant’s monitoring plan
evidence
of sufficient finances to support the project
the
applicant’s communications plan and exit strategy
We have
very thoroughly assessed the potential impacts on protected site features and
existing wildlife. We have discounted any adverse impacts through direct predation
and disturbance by the eagles or indirectly through increased visitor pressure
from ‘eagle tourists’.
We have
carefully examined the potential risk of lamb predation. There is no evidence
of this becoming a problem where the eagles live alongside lowland sheep
farming in Europe. However, we will ensure that the applicant puts in place
clear routes to identify and manage any unexpected issues that might arise.
The
licence permits the release of up to 60 eagles (12 per year) over the next five
years. Young eagles will be sourced under licence from nests in Scotland and
raised through to release on the Isle of Wight. The first release is planned
for summer 2019.
