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BBC Scotland News reported that a farmer from South Uist, Donald John Cameron, is claiming that sea eagles are responsible for the disappearance of five Shetland pony foals from his hillside croft. According to Cameron, the foals vanished without a trace over a nine-week period between May and July, with him frequently observing the birds of prey circling his animals. Sea eagles, also known as white-tailed eagles, have been known to attack livestock, and farmers have reported instances of them carrying lambs away. Despite these claims, the National Centre for Birds of Prey has expressed skepticism about the possibility of sea eagles being able to fly off with a foal.
NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, stated that while there is no direct evidence linking the birds to the disappearance of the foals, they will be examining prey remains from sea eagle nests on the island to investigate the matter further. Cameron, who manages a herd of ponies as part of his agritourism business, Long Island Retreats, believes that the foals were taken by a predator based on the behavior of the mothers of the missing animals. He expressed disbelief at the unexplained vanishing of five animals, emphasizing that such a significant loss is unprecedented in his experience.
One particular incident involved a mare returning alone to the spot where she last saw her foal and spending time sniffing the ground without finding any traces of the missing animal. Cameron highlighted the weight of the foals, noting that some smaller ones would weigh around 10kg, equivalent to a lamb that is four or five weeks old. The director of the National Centre for Birds of Prey, Charlie Heap, dismissed the possibility of sea eagles being capable of lifting such weight, as the largest sea eagles weigh about 5kg and are limited in their ability to carry prey heavier than themselves. Despite the ongoing mystery surrounding the disappearance of the foals, Cameron remains determined to uncover the truth behind the unsettling events.
In response to the situation, NatureScot announced plans to inspect sea eagle nest sites near Cameron’s residence to address the broader issue of predation. The organization had previously engaged with Cameron regarding concerns about other livestock, offering guidance on lamb predation in 2023 and outlining various support options available through the sea eagle management scheme. Although Cameron has not submitted an application to the scheme, NatureScot expressed readiness to discuss potential strategies for protecting both sheep and ponies from predatory threats, underscoring their commitment to assisting affected farmers in mitigating wildlife-related challenges
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