iStockThe disappearance of five Shetland pony foals in South Uist remains a mystery after a search of sea eagle nests uncovered none of their remains.
Donald John Cameron, who runs Long Island Retreats, said that five of his herd disappeared on separate occasions between May and July this year.
The farmer, who has kept a herd of ponies for over 60 years, believes that white-tailed eagles are responsible.
The eagles are the largest birds of prey in the UK and have a wingspan of over two metres. They are known to attack livestock and fly away with animals up to the size of lambs.
Mr Cameron told STV News how the disappearances were having an impact on his business and family life.
However, NatureScot’s analysis of prey remains from the two closest sea eagle nests to areas where the foals were reported missing showed no sign of the ponies.
No lamb or foal bones were discovered.
Instead, the most common discoveries were the remains of Fulmar and Eider seabirds, adult rabbits and Greylag geese. One puffin was also found.
White-tailed eagles used to be widespread across the UK before they became extinct due to human persecution in the early 1900s.
They were reintroduced to Scotland – using birds from Norway – in 1975 and 1985, with further releases in the 2000s.
NatureScot, Scotland’s natural heritage organisation which supported the project, previously said it had been an “outstanding conservation success story”.
However, their reintroduction has been contentious, with farming unions saying many of their members have had lambs stolen by sea eagles in recent years and arguing more needs to be done.
Under the Sea Eagle Management Scheme, farmers and crofters experiencing sea eagle impacts on their livestock are offered support for adapting livestock management and for trialling prevention measures.
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