The National Parks and Wildlife Service have launched an investigation following the death of a protected White Tailed Eagle in Westmeath.
The protected animal was shot at Lough Owel near Mullingar, and discovered in early December.
The two year old female eagle was part of the NPWS White Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programmes and was released on the Shannon Estuary in 2022.
The animal's satellite tag has shown she died on Friday the 6th of December at Ballynafid/Portnashangan around Lough Owel.
The service is currently awaiting the results of a forensic analysis on the eagle in order to gain more information on the incident.
The NPWS has deplored what they are calling the deliberate killing of a rare and endangered species and are appealing to the public to come forward with any information in confidence.
Therese Kelly is a Conservation Ranger, with the National Parks and Wildlife service and has been talking to Daniel Considine:
