Golden eagles' return to English skies gets government backing

Golden eagles' return to English skies gets government backing13 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleEsme StallardJavier Sánchez/Getty ImagesGolden Eagles will once again be a permanent feature of English skies, as the government pledges £1m to back the reintroduction of the species as early as next year.Britain's second largest bird of prey was wiped out in England during the 19th Century after a concerted campaign of hunting.Forestry England will now launch a public consultation alongside the charity behind the successful return of the species to the Scottish border.Restoring Upland Nature said they have seen widespread support for the return of the "impressive" species but farming communities have previously raised concerns about the threat this predator could pose to lambs.Sir David Attenborough names first eagle chick in conservation projectGolden eagles flourish despite deaths and disappearancesThey are one of the fastest animals on the planet, reaching speeds of up to 200mph as they dive, and have razor-sharp vision - able to spot a rabbit moving three miles away.And yet, these apex predators were hunted to extinction in England and Wales because of their perceived threat to livestock and grouse.After years of research by Forestry England into appropriate environments, and a successful re-enforcement of the species along the Scottish border, the government is now backing a parallel project in Northumberland."Aside from being Britain's second largest bird of prey with an impressive two-metre wingspan, the golden eagle is a keystone species that can play a vital role in nature recovery more widely," said Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds.The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with research by NGOs and academics in 2023 revealing that one in six species are now at risk of extinction.The government has backed a number of species reintroduction programmes over the years as part of efforts to...