A Scottish farmer claims giant sea eagles are threatening to put him out of business as they continue to kill his sheep.
Richard Rennie estimates that almost 300 lambs were slaughtered on his farm last year by two breeding pairs who killed a full-grown ewe earlier this month.
Sea eagles, also known as white-tailed eagles, are protected by law in Scotland, making it a criminal offense to kill or injure one.
But the 37-year-old farmer from Argyll, who took over the 2,500-hectare Garvachy Farm, near Lochgilphead, from his father-in-law six years ago, said 'in reality they are putting us out of business'.
Mr Rennie and his wife Kirsten say they suffered a loss of £24,000 in the last financial year as a direct result of eagle attacks on their livestock, with at least 280 lambs 'slaughtered' so far in 2024/2025.
They are now looking to diversify as the 'sheep side of the business is no longer viable' and believe more needs to be done to control their numbers.
Mr Rennie said: “We just don't know where to go. We've tried lambs indoors… but as soon as we send them into the hills it's just carnage.
'Last year we made a loss of £24,000. Everyone thinks the figures we mention are ridiculous. But if you get four eagles that each kill one lamb a day for fifty days, that's 200 lambs.”
Farmer Richard Rennie says his flock of sheep is being targeted by white-tailed eagles
Sea eagles can pose a huge threat to livestock, but are protected by law (file image)
Mr Rennie estimates that almost 300 lambs were slaughtered on his farm last year by two breeding pairs (file image)
He added: “In 2022 there were four young people [eagles] and five ewes were killed in eight days. The birds took turns swooping down and grabbing them.”
The birds of prey – which can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters – have also approached his dogs and he believes 'it's only a matter of time' before one of them 'gets killed'.
Experts from NatureScot have been working with Mr Rennie to try to keep the birds away from his livestock, including by setting up a feeding station with deer carcasses.
But Mr. Rennie said, “They just fly over it.”
And he said the problem is that they don't come back to the same carcass, but they kill another one the next day.
When the couple lost 220 lambs in 2021, he said officials visited the site and after 'looting the nests', DNA tests confirmed they had consumed some prey, including lambs.
He said they fielded 65 twins that year and by the end of the season had lost 94 of the 130 due to the pigeons.
Mr Rennie added: 'We know they were fit and healthy lambs but as soon as they got into the park they just got hammered.'
Mr Rennie and his wife Kirsten (pictured) say they suffered a £24,000 loss in the last financial year as a direct result of eagle attacks on their shares.
The ongoing problem arose this month when he discovered one of his adult ewes had been attacked and killed when he went to check on his flock. He said the body was “still warm,” proving the eagle had not already found the animal dead.
He said there was also evidence the eagles had killed other protected species, including herring gulls, black grouse, black grouse and barn owls, as well as deer and pine martens.
NatureScot said it and the Scottish Government recognizes that sea eagles 'may have an economic impact on farms and holdings in some locations'.
A spokesperson said: 'We work closely with Mr Rennie in Garvachy and are aware of the predation issues there.
“We recently started testing a diversionary feeding approach on his farm, which complements the SEMS [Sea Eagle Management Scheme] support.
'We have not yet successfully attracted the birds to the food on offer, but we will continue to work with Mr Rennie to explore further practical options.'
