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Today I learned that sea eagles are mean sons-a-bitches and they are making life a living hell for farmers on over the pond.
A man by the name of Douglas Currie was on vacation with his wife in Scotland’s Isle of Mull when he captured amazing photos of a predatory sea eagle snatch up a helpless lamb from a farm and carry it away from its loved ones and everything it ever knew.
Photo of sea eagle with lamb in its claws emerges from Scotland https://t.co/wbTkwCQtSd pic.twitter.com/Yebf8HL1jo
— Chochilino (@ChochilinoNews) May 10, 2019
Currie told the Telegraph:
“We saw this big shape through the sky and my wife thought it was a fish.
“We then realised it was a lamb and I rattled off a load of shots. The bird was struggling. It’s the most extraordinary sight.”
Sea eagles’ wingspans can extend up to eight feet, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “flying barn doors,” and harness a beak that resembles a meat cleaver.
https://twitter.com/SP_Keegan/status/1126496993344393216
They were once in high abundance in the British Isles but the population had declined by 90 percent by the time of the Industrial Revolution. That was until the 1970s, when they were reintroduced in Scotland. The Telegraph reports that “there are currently 130 breeding pairs, and the population is predicted to soar to 700 pairs by 2040.”
Here is a video composite of the all the photos Currie took of the sea eagle stealing the little lamb strung into video format.
The increased presence of sea eagles has come at a steep price for farmers who claim their lambs have gone missing, with their bloody carcasses found miles away with their eyes gouged out and limbs ripped off.
Colin Cameron had a couple war stories from his farm on Scotland’s Ardnarmurchan peninsula:
“One lamb was killed, but the other has a hole in its side after a sea eagle tried to take it.
“It is still alive as I had to feed it through a tube three times a day. It is on penicillin to stop any infection, so I can’t let it outside, but generally we don’t find any alive.”
A group of conservationists were awarded a five-year license to release 30 breeding pairs on the Isle of Wight with the first release coming this summer. Said one of the many who opposed the plan:
“The numbers of eagles has become unsustainable. They are also killing large numbers of sea birds, otters and even golden eagles.”
The introduction of these predators aren’t just an issue for farmers, but anyone who has pet cats or dogs. Although they rarely ever target pets, the possibility will certainly have residents keeping a short leash on their furry friends.
Sea eagles, although majestic and dope to look at from afar, not very friendly.
[h/t The Telegraph]