Rare set of golden eagle triplets born in the east Highlands

STV 

15 July 2015 17:44 BST

A rare set of golden eagle triplets has been born in Scotland, a wildlife charity has revealed.

The female chicks hatched nine weeks ago and are being raised by their parents in the east Highlands.

The RSPB is keeping their exact location secret to protect the birds and has fitted them with satellite tags.

There are around 450 pairs of golden eagles in Scotland but fewer than 300 breed each year and it is very unusual for them to lay more than two eggs.

The chicks are likely to leave their nest soon but will probably stay in the area they were born until next spring.

Scotland is home to a number of species of eagle, including the white-tailed eagle which was reintroduced to the Inner Hebrides in 1975 nearly 60 years after it was hunted to extinction in the UK.

On Wednesday, Rewilding Britain launched a campaign to bring back other species including wolves, lynx, boars and beavers.

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