White-tailed eagles to be released in Exmoor despite farmer warnings
Key takeaways
- Up to 20 birds, which are also known as sea eagles and were once extinct in the UK, will be released over three years from this summer.
- But there are concerns the predators could threaten sheep in the area.
- Natural England, which approved the plans on Wednesday, said the reintroduction would be "carefully planned" alongside local landowners.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
Jenny Kumah,Rural affairs correspondentand Malcolm Prior,Rural affairs producer Getty Images White-tailed eagles are being reintroduced across the UK after dying out last century White-tailed eagles - the UK's largest bird of prey - will be released across Exmoor National Park after the government approved the latest stage in a controversial national reintroduction scheme.
Up to 20 birds, which are also known as sea eagles and were once extinct in the UK, will be released over three years from this summer.
But there are concerns the predators could threaten sheep in the area. One farmer in Scotland, where the eagles were reintroduced in 1975, said those in Exmoor should fight plans "tooth and nail" or risk losing lambs to the birds.