A young golden eagle moved from the Outer Hebrides as part of a conservation project has survived after being shot and left with at least 17 shotgun pellets lodged in her body and wings.

Squeagle, a four year old female golden eagle, was found to have suffered shotgun injuries after concerns were raised about her behaviour on an estate in the Lammermuir Hills on Monday 1 June.

She had been moved from the Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Borders in February 2026 as part of a translocation project run by Restoring Upland Nature, known as RUN, and was fitted with a satellite tag allowing her movements to be monitored.

After her release, Squeagle travelled through parts of northern England, including Northumberland, the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, before returning to Scotland.

A photograph taken in Northumberland on Monday 4 May showed significant damage to her wing feathers, although experts believe the shooting injuries were not recent because the wounds had already healed by the time she was examined.

Gamekeepers in the Lammermuirs became concerned when they noticed the eagle behaving unusually and contacted RUN, leading to Squeagle being collected and taken to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross.

Scans and treatment revealed the scale of the attack, with at least 17 pellets found in her body and wings.

The discovery has prompted a cross border investigation involving Police Scotland, police colleagues in northern England and the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit.

Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, said:

“This was a serious attack on a protected bird of prey which I utterly condemn.

“Thanks to the quick actions of those who reported concerns, the golden eagle was able to receive specialist treatment and has since been returned to the wild.

“We are working with partners across Scotland and northern England to establish where and when she was shot.

“Following treatment by veterinary specialists at the Scottish SPCA, Squeagle was released back into the wild on Saturday, 6 June, 2026. Her condition will continue to be monitored through observations and detailed analysis of satellite tracking.

“Enquiries remain ongoing, and we are working alongside our colleagues in Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, supported by the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit to establish who was responsible.”

Golden eagles are among Scotland’s most iconic birds of prey and are legally protected, making attacks of this nature a serious wildlife crime.

Police say enquiries remain ongoing as officers work to establish exactly where and when Squeagle was shot during her movements across Scotland and northern England.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland, quoting incident number 1361 of 5 June 2026.