South Scotland Golden Eagle Project Achieves First Successful Fledging

Sir David Attenborough named the first golden eagle eaglet to fledge from a pioneering conservation effort in southern Scotland as 'Princeling,' symbolizing new hope for the species' restoration. This milestone was achieved through the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, now expanded and renamed Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), which relocates young eagles from the Highlands to boost populations in the south. The eaglet's parents, Emma—a translocated female named after women's rights advocate Emma Ritch—and Keith, a wild satellite-tagged male from Dumfries and Galloway, successfully bred in 2024 near Moffat, marking a significant breeding event for the project. Princeling was satellite-tagged and his fledging represents a breakthrough showing that translocated eagles can integrate and reproduce successfully in healthy, low-risk environments. RUN's chief executive, Dr. Cat Barlow, highlighted the collaborative community and conservation support behind this achievement, emphasizing its importance for reversing biodiversity decline across the UK. Sir David Attenborough congratulated all involved, underscoring the broader hope this success brings for future generations to witness golden eagles thriving.