News

12 November 2024

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is joining Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and other partners to explore the feasibility of reintroducing white-tailed eagles back into Wales and the Severn Estuary. 

The international charity for wetlands and wildlife has entered a one-year exploratory partnership with Eagle Reintroduction Wales (ERW), Durrell and Gwent Wildlife Trust, to support efforts to re-establish a viable breeding population of white-tailed eagles. 

Dr Sophie-Lee Williams, ERW’s Founder and Durrell’s White-tailed Eagle Project Officer, leading the research, said: 

“It is rewarding to watch this project soaring off the ground with regional partnerships who are equally passionate to see white-tailed eagles return to their historic home across Wales and the Severn Estuary. We are excited to welcome WWT to our team alongside experts both at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Gwent Wildlife Trust.”  

Commenting on the partnership, WWT Senior Project Manager Eric Heath said: 

“We’re excited to offer our expertise in species recovery to this exciting project, by supporting our partners with further monitoring and research, as well as environmental and ecological feasibility studies. 

“Stakeholder engagement workshops are happening now across Wales and the Severn Estuary, as a way for local people to understand more about this magnificent species, and the current plans and proposals for their reintroduction to the area. Once this has wrapped up, the partnership will apply for relevant licenses to set the project up for success. 

“Reintroduction projects take time and extensive planning, and WWT is very excited to be involved at this early stage of the journey to restore the iconic white-tailed eagle back to our skies and waterscapes.” 

The white-tailed eagle used to roam the skies of the UK, however due to persecution, it became extinct. Reintroduction efforts have already seen populations of white-tailed eagles established across Scotland, Northern Ireland and southern England, and since 2016, the ERW project has been continuing this conservation journey in Wales. 

Lucy Groves, Field Programme Manager from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust said: 

“We are thrilled that WWT are joining the project partnership, bringing years of experience and skills to support the existing team. Durrell project staff have been working hard over the last two years to build relationships with the local community and key interest groups, and this work is set to continue throughout the life of the project. With this fantastic group of partners, we hope to see white-tailed eagles returned to the skies of Wales.” 

White-tailed eagles are an important part of the natural ecosystem of skies, rivers and coastlines in south-east Wales and the Severn Estuary, and support the health of habitats, plants and wildlife. 

These magnificent birds are listed as a Species of Conservation Concern in the UK and their recovery is recognised as a priority action in the UK Government’s 25-year Environment Plan.