Latest news with #RegionalVeterinaryLaboratory
Agriland
6 days ago
- General
- Agriland
Investigation following suspected poisoning of eagle in Clare
An investigation is underway following the discovery of one of Ireland's oldest breeding white-tailed eagles, Caimin who was found dead in Clare last Saturday (May 24). Initial post-mortem examination results from the Regional Veterinary Laboratory indicate a possible death from poisoning. Caimin held territory at the Mountshannon nest site on Lough Derg for the past 17 years. During that time, he mated and fledged a number of chicks. He was one of the first chicks to arrive as part of a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Reintroduction Programme to bring back this formerly extinct species to Irish skies and was released from Killarney National Park in 2008. All of the white-tailed eagle chicks reintroduced under the programme are fitted with satellite tags, which enables them to be monitored and tracked. White-tailed eagle In 2013, Caimin mated with Saoirshe, a female eagle who was also part of the Reintroduction Programme. They became the first white-tailed eagles to successfully raise and fledge chicks in the wild in Ireland in over 100 years. Caimin raised and fledged chicks into the wild until 2016, when Saoirshe died of avian influenza (bird flu). He held the territory and mated again with Bernardine in 2023 to successfully fledge more chicks to the wild from the same nest site in Mountshannon. Despite the loss of her mate, Bernardine is continuing to raise a chick on the nest site in Mountshannon. Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said: 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss of a wonderfully aged bird, breeding happily in the Irish wild, is deeply regrettable. 'The Reintroduction Programme had been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. These birds are part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems. 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds and I have tasked the NPWS with leaving no stone unturned to try to get to the bottom of this heinous potential crime.' Divisional manager, NPWS, Eamonn Meskell said: 'The knowing destruction of this wonderful bird of prey displays a wanton disregard for our re-introduction and nature protection efforts. 'These noble birds are beloved of the public and each loss is keenly felt by them and indeed by the staff of NPWS who have nurtured these birds from chicks to fledglings, onto adult life and into successfully breeding pairs. 'We know we can rely on the public's help in this investigation' According to the NPWS, the main threat to the species in Ireland is persecution, predominantly through shooting and the illegal use of poison and wind turbine strikes. The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, according to the agency. Other causes of death include wind turbine strikes, lead shot poisoning and shooting. Avian Influenza and adverse weather also negatively impacted the breeding population. Anyone with information which maybe useful to the investigation is urge to notify a local garda station or the local NPWS office.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
Breeding white-tailed eagle dies from suspected poisoning
An investigation is under way following the death of one of Ireland's oldest breeding white-tailed eagles. Caimín was found dead in Co Clare last Saturday and initial post-mortem results from the Regional Veterinary Laboratory indicate poisoning as a possible cause of death. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Project Manager for the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project, Eamonn Meskell, said that there has been an increase in poisonings of the birds over the last five years. "We have satellite tags on all of our white-tailed eagle chicks that we release, and we find that when they stop or they become stationary, we will go out and pick them up," he said. "We've lost chicks to carbon fuel and poisoning and rodenticide poisoning, and the initial autopsy shows that (Caimín) likely succumbed to rodenticide poisoning as well." Caimín has held territory at the Mountshannon nest site on Lough Derg since 2008 and during that time, mated and fledged a number of chicks. In 2013, Caimín mated with Saoirse, a female eagle who was also part of the reintroduction programme. They became the first white-tailed eagles to successfully raise and fledge chicks in the wild in Ireland in over 100 years. "That sparked off a really positive thing up in Mountshannon," said Mr Meskell.
Agriland
28-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Expert insights and tech info lined up for Sheep 2025 in Galway
The Sheep 2025 event will take place this year on Saturday, June 21, at the Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway. Sheep 2025 will offer an opportunity for farmers, industry professionals, and the general public to explore the latest innovations and trends in the Irish sheep industry. The event will feature a huge range of attractions, technical presentations, and demonstrations. Sheep 2025 is organised jointly by Teagasc, along with other stakeholders such as Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Sheep 2025 highlights Visitors to Sheep 2025 can look forward to a wide array of technical information and expert insights from leading industry professionals. Topics covered will include: Grassland and forages: Clover over-sowing demonstrations, fencing options, grass measuring, companion forages; Clover over-sowing demonstrations, fencing options, grass measuring, companion forages; Breeding and genetics: Insights from Teagasc research flocks, methane emissions measurements, performance recording, pre-breeding checks, and flock replacement policies; Insights from Teagasc research flocks, methane emissions measurements, performance recording, pre-breeding checks, and flock replacement policies; Nutrition: Research results from feeding trials and insights on nutrition practices for sheep farming; Research results from feeding trials and insights on nutrition practices for sheep farming; Flock health: A detailed exploration of internal and external parasites, lameness studies, and a Regional Veterinary Laboratory display; A detailed exploration of internal and external parasites, lameness studies, and a Regional Veterinary Laboratory display; Organic farming: Meet organic advisors, discuss certification requirements, and view organic sheep on display; Meet organic advisors, discuss certification requirements, and view organic sheep on display; Hill sheep production: Maximise output on hill systems with advice on lamb finishing options and forage crop displays; Maximise output on hill systems with advice on lamb finishing options and forage crop displays; Health and safety: Interactive demonstrations on quad bike safety, sheep handling, and trailer regulations; Interactive demonstrations on quad bike safety, sheep handling, and trailer regulations; Meat industry and markets: Discussions on selecting lambs for slaughter, clean livestock policy, and industry trends; Discussions on selecting lambs for slaughter, clean livestock policy, and industry trends; Agricultural education: Discover career opportunities in sheep farming and agriculture, including the Battle of the Colleges Sheep Challenge. Discover career opportunities in sheep farming and agriculture, including the Battle of the Colleges Sheep Challenge. Environment and water quality: Learn about initiatives to improve sustainability; Learn about initiatives to improve sustainability; Forestry: Discover forest types and the benefits of integrating trees with sheep farming; Discover forest types and the benefits of integrating trees with sheep farming; Agricultural advisory: Consult with experts to discuss specific advisory needs and explore Teagasc's resources. Attractions Sheep 2025 offers a variety of attractions for attendees to enjoy, including: Commercial exhibits from leading industry suppliers; from leading industry suppliers; Sheep breed competitions and breed displays showcasing the best of Irish sheep farming; and showcasing the best of Irish sheep farming; On-site catering ; ; Children's entertainment to keep younger visitors entertained; to keep younger visitors entertained; Cooking demonstrations with renowned chef Neven Maguire; with renowned chef Neven Maguire; Health check stations ; ; Sheep dog training demonstrations; demonstrations; Quad safety demos to promote safe practices in farming; to promote safe practices in farming; Sheep shearing demonstrations and wool displays in the Wool Village. Speaking at the launch of Sheep 2025, head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Michael Gottstein said; 'Sheep 2025 is more than just an exhibition; it is a forward-looking event that provides a comprehensive platform for learning, networking, and discovering the future direction of the sheep farming industry. 'With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the event promises to be a must-attend for all those with an interest in agriculture.' Teagasc Sheep Enterprise leader, Dr. Philip Creighton added: 'We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Teagasc sheep research facility in Athenry for this major event, which will provide invaluable insights for farmers looking to improve flock management, animal welfare, and farm profitability, while also addressing broader concerns such as environmental impact and market trends.'
