The eagle who landed (badly) is back in the air

AN EIGHT-MONTH-OLD white-tailed eagle has been released back into the wild on Mull, having recovered from a broken wing and leg.

The bird was found struggling on the ground by a farmer after it injured itself trying to land and tumbled from a tree.

The farmer handed it into the care of the Scottish SPCA in September, and after spending the past four months recovering, animal welfare officers believe it is safe for it to return to the wild.

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White-tailed eagles are being reintroduced to Scotland as part of the Sea Eagle Project, a partnership involving RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Colin Seddon, manager of the Scottish SPCA's Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife, said, "We take on any eagles which require rehabilitation as part of the project.

"This eagle is an inexperienced youngster who probably injured himself by trying to land. Luckily his injuries were healing naturally so we kept contact to a minimum."

The eagle was returned to his nesting site and will be monitored by Mull Eagle Watch, which includes RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull and Iona Community Trust and Strathclyde Police.

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