Scots train ancient dog breed to deter sea eagle attacks
Once driven to extinction across the British Isles, sea eagles have been successfully reintroduced in recent decades but are increasingly blamed for ravaging lambs left to roam the countryside
Jonathan Ames from Rothiemurchus Falconry, trains two young Maremma sheep dogs, called Luigi and Peaches, to protect livestock from the threat of Sea Eagles, in Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands, on July 26, 2023. Image: Andy Buchanan / AFP
Dotted among a small flock of sheep in a field in the Scottish Highlands, Luigi and Peaches, two young working dogs with thick white coats, are busy being trained to keep watch on the skies above.
The pair, who descend from the Roman-era Maremma breed reared by shepherds to protect their livestock from wolves, are learning to guard against Scotland's resurgent sea eagles, formally known as white-tailed eagles.
Related stories
Once driven to extinction across the British Isles, they have been successfully reintroduced in recent decades but are increasingly blamed for ravaging lambs left to roam the countryside.
The loss of the valuable livestock is sparking tensions with some farmers, devastated by the financial fallout and demanding the government issue licences to shoot the birds.
The worsening situation prompted Jonny and Daisy Ames to create the dog training programme at their falconry near Aviemore, in the hope it will allow farmers and eagles to better coexist.
