Sir David Attenborough has named the first chick to fledge the nest of a golden eagle that was brought to Scotland as part of a conservation project.
The 99-year-old naturalist chose "Princeling", meaning young prince, for the baby eagle, which he says symbolises new hope for the restoration the species.
The milestone marks a breakthrough for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to boost golden eagle numbers across the country.
The project has now expanded to England and Wales under Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) to increase populations throughout the UK.
Sir David said: "Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle."
News of Princeling's spring hatching was kept secret until he was ready to leave the nest, protecting his safety and welfare.
Experts from the RUN team tagged him in June with support from a local Scottish Raptor Study Group, landowners and land managers.
His parents Emma and Keith built their nest near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway. Emma was translocated by SSGEP in 2021 and named by Lorna Slater MSP, who served as Scotland's biodiversity minister, after women's rights advocate Emma Ritch. Keith fledged locally near Galloway.
Dr Cat Barlow, chief executive of RUN, said: “This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
