Rare white-tailed eagle poisoned with banned pesticide which can kill humans

Rumours about the death of the bird had long been circulating among conservationists, but it had not been confirmed by police.

Now, a laboratory report detailing the use of banned pesticide bendiocarb has confirmed not only that the bird died in October 2021, but also stated that a buzzard and a dog were also found dead.

According to website Raptor Persecution UK, which is run by environmental campaigner Dr Ruth Tingay, the lab report said the buzzard was not found to have died from ingesting bendiocarb, and there was no mention of how the dog had died.

The lab report said: "A dog died and a sea eagle and buzzard were found dead. Analysis has confirmed bendiocarb in the stomach contents of the sea eagle which is an abuse of the product. Negative analysis for the buzzard."

Despite the findings, there have been no warnings issued by Sussex Police or other local authorities about the use of poisons which could even be fatal to humans if inhaled or ingested.

The death of the sea eagle comes amid growing concern about how wildlife crime is being policed on the south coast, after Dorset Police closed an "inconclusive" investigation into the death of another sea eagle this year, a decision which was closely followed by the suspected poisonings of a red kite and a buzzard which were found by a walker.