Sir David Attenborough names first eagle chick in conservation project

Sir David Attenborough has named the first young golden eagle to fledge as part of a pioneering conservation project to boost the birds’ numbers in southern Scotland.

The broadcaster, now aged 99, named the eaglet Princeling, meaning young prince, which he said was a symbol of new hope for the restoration of the species.

The number of breeding pairs of golden eagles in southern Scotland had fallen to as low as three, but since 2018, the population has risen to more than 50 after eagles from the Scottish Highlands were brought south.

Princeling hatched and left the nest after one of the relocated birds, named Emma, mated with Keith, a member of the local eagle population in Galloway.

Originally called the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, it has now become a standalone charity Restoring Upland Nature (Run) after expanding its reach into northern England.

Sir David said: “Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.”

In 2021, NatureScot granted the project a licence to remove chicks from eyries in the Highlands.

The translocated chicks, aged five to six weeks, were initially kept in aviaries in the Southern Uplands for about two months before being released.

One of the birds was named Emma – after Emma Ritch, an advocate for women’s rights and equality.

She and local eagle Keith made a nest near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, where their offspring later hatched.

Princeling was satellite-tagged earlier this summer, and has now left the nest in what Run chief executive Cat Barlow described as a “game-changing moment” in UK conservation.

“Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully,” she said.

“This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar.”