Wildlife in danger

With regard to the poisoned golden eagle discovered on a grouse moor on Royal Deeside, (your report, 17 June), sadly, such incidents are on the increase; this is the 21st incident recorded this year, two more than for the whole of 2005.

There is an indisputable correlation between these incidents and the use to which the land is put, namely the rearing of game for shooting.

The penalties when criminals are convicted are wholly inadequate.

The existing legislation is failing Scotland's wildlife, and until we see some eye-watering fines and imprisonments, this vile and selfish practice will continue.

The Scottish Executive must ask the sentencing authorities to take these offences much more seriously.

LOGAN D STEELE, Bridgewater Avenue, Auchterarder, Perthshire

There will surely be more than a few sad tears over the poisoning of a golden eagle for which the culprit must be brought to book.

At the very least, there should be further clamp-downs on who gets poisons, from where, and under what control.

WILLIAM SPEIRS, Buccleuch Street, Innerleithen, Peeblesshire.