A farmer in Scotland is claiming that giant sea eagles are stealing his ponies, and that they’ve already taken five of them.
He runs a agritourism business
Donald John Cameron is a farmer who runs an agritourism business with his partner Lindsay Robertson, per The Sunday Post and the BBC, who also reported the business takes place in the island of South Uist.
His ponies have been ‘disappearing’
Cameron says his Shetland ponies, which are an important part of his farm, have been ‘disappearing’, and he believes giant eagles are to blame.
He told the BBC that five pony foals have disappeared, and that he hasn’t ‘seen or found any carcasses’ to explain why they’re gone.
Cameron believes sea eagles are the culprit
The farmer said although “you couldn’t rule out’ that people may be stealing his ponies, he’s leaning more towards sea eagles being the thieves.
He told the BBC that losing animals isn’t that strange, ‘but to lose five is totally out of it.’
What are sea eagles?
Sea eagles, also known as white-tailed eagles, are ‘massive, heavy-set’ birds with a wingspan that can reach 8 feet, according to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
They are also the largest birds of prey in the UK and have only been on the Scottish Island for seven years.
The situation is hurting Cameron’s business
“I can’t see any other explanation,” Cameron told the outlet. “They’re not dissolving into thin air.”
“We have had Shetland ponies for 60 years-plus, and nothing like this has happened before. The only difference in the last few years is that we have a bigger presence of white-tailed eagles.”
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A panel was made to address similar concerns
David Colthart, a farmer’s representative on The National Sea Eagles Stakeholders’ Panel said Cameron’s remarks are ‘the first time’ he has ‘heard of white-tailed eagles being suspected of lifting Shetland ponies.’
The panel was made to address concerns about sea eagles and claims that they steal livestock.
He has seen pictures of them carrying deer
Colthart told the newspaper, “I have seen photos of them carrying deer calves, so it’s not impossible give the small size of Shetland foals.”
The RSPB said of the birds, “They eat largely fish, but also take various birds, rabbits, and hare.”
But another believes the eagles aren’t the culprit
Meanwhile, director of the National Centre for Birds of Prey, Charlie Heap, believes that Cameron is probably looking in the wrong direction for his ponies’ thieves.
Heap told the outlet, “Like all birds, sea eagles are miracles of engineering and of lightness.”
He says the largest sea eagle is likely 5kg
Heap said despite their ability to carry things easily, the largest sea eagle ‘you’re going to find is going to be about 5kg.’
“Just to give you a comparison, that’s about the size of a reasonable [sized] house cat. They are only capable of carrying their own weight.”
Heap isn’t convinced it’s the eagles
“I have no idea what’s happening to this poor chap’s foals. I do feel his pain. I would suggest he’s looking in the wrong direction for the culprit,” Heap said.
