Irish-bred white-tailed eagle found shot dead

One of the first Irish-bred white-tailed eagles has been found shot dead in Co. Tipperary.

The young male was reared by a pair of eagles at a nest on Lough Derg in Co. Clare.

The Department of Arts and Heritage confirmed that the eagle was shot down with up to 50 shotgun pellets, and survived for a number of weeks before dying.

A spokesperson for the eagle reintroduction programme said it was shocking that one of the first two Irish-bred eagles has been shot only seven months after leaving the nest.

Gardaí are investigating.

A rare White-tailed eagle, found shot dead, in Tipperary had between 45-50 shotgun pellets in its body. pic.twitter.com/fQCyLdgPlB

— Barra Best (@barrabest) March 5, 2014