Latest news with #chick
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Investigation launched after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' ADVERTISEMENT 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The white-tailed eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
CairoScene
3 days ago
- General
- CairoScene
Rare Egyptian Vulture Spotted Feeding Its Newborn In AlUla
This wouldn't be the first time an Egyptian vulture made headlines in Saudi Arabia. Could mother vulture secretly be scoping our real estate in AlUla? In what conservationists are calling a "major milestone" and what the chick is calling "hungry," a rare Egyptian vulture has been spotted feeding its newborn in the cliffs of AlUla's Sharaan National Park. This marks the first-ever recorded vulture nest in the area - and possibly the only time a vulture has gone viral for good behavior. The Egyptian vulture, once sacred to Pharaohs and now listed as Endangered by the IUCN (which is like the DMV of endangered species but with more feathers), is a bird of many talents. It's known to use tools, which puts it slightly ahead of most toddlers and several adults on TikTok. It uses rocks to smash eggs, sticks to collect wool, and presumably a spreadsheet to plan its nesting schedule. Experts estimate there are about 50 breeding pairs left in Saudi Arabia. AlUla, however, seems to be leading the comeback tour, with at least three breeding territories recorded this year and up to 10 potentially scoping out real estate. So yes, a baby vulture has hatched. And for once, it's not a bad omen but an ecological win.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rutland Water's first osprey chick of 2025 hatches
The first osprey chick of the year to hatch at Rutland Water Nature Reserve this year has been spotted on a egg - one of four laid by a bird called Maya in a nest at Manton Bay - hatched at about 20:55 BST on has nested at the site since 2015 with a male osprey, with the pair raising 20 chicks and Rutland Wildlife Trust are said to be "very excited" by the new arrival. Elizabeth Hare, information assistant, said: "The first few days will be really important when the chick is getting a good feed and starting to grow." Ms Hare added Maya has had clutches of four eggs in previous years, but three-egg clutches are more often spend the winter in West African countries such as Senegal and The Gambia before returning to the UK in usually takes between 35 and 42 days between an egg being laid and it chick hatched 37 days after Maya laid her first egg. Maya's breeding partner will stay with the pair during the fledging process and has been seen bringing fish back to the nest for Maya and their offspring. The wildlife trust has a webcam aimed at the nest which is providing a live feed of footage to its YouTube channel.
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- General
- Bloomberg
Leo XIV Can Take Catholics in Three Directions
A family of seagulls — two adults feeding a chick — had gathered by the papal chimney a couple of minutes before white smoke billowed out to announce the election of a new pope. The Holy Spirit is usually represented by a dove, so what to make of this trinity? In any case, it's just one small detail in a poignant day. There are already many other portents to sift through.
