The Mystery of the Missing Lambs

Farmers in the Scottish Highlands have expressed frustration over the increasing predation of their lambs by reintroduced sea eagles. While conservationists celebrate the successful return of these apex predators, local farmers report significant losses, attributing hundreds of lamb deaths to eagle attacks. For instance, one farmer recounted losing 211 lambs in a single year, equating to nearly £10,000 in financial losses. This growing conflict between farmers and conservationists underscores a vital distinction between the evidence of eagle predation and the farmers' firsthand experiences with their livestock.