Sir David Attenborough has named the first golden eagle eaglet to fledge from a nest brought to Scotland as part of a conservation project. The 99-year-old broadcaster gave the chick the name Princeling, describing it as a symbol of renewed hope for restoring the species. The naming is part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to boost the birds’ numbers across the country. The project has expanded into England and Wales under Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) to help grow populations elsewhere in the UK.

News of Princeling’s hatching in spring this year was kept private to protect the chick while it grew, before it could fly. The eaglet was tagged in June by RUN with support from the Scottish Raptor Study Group and local landowners and managers. The pair, Emma and Keith, had built their nest near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, where Princeling hatched. Emma was translocated by SSGEP in 2021 and was named by Lorna Slater, then the Scottish biodiversity minister; she was named after Emma Ritch, an advocate for women’s rights. Keith fledged from a nearby nest in the Galloway area.

RUN’s chief executive, Dr Cat Barlow, said the recognition from Sir David Attenborough marks a significant moment for conservation and demonstrates that translocated eagles can integrate into native populations where ecosystems are healthy and persecution is limited. She added that the success supports efforts to reverse biodiversity decline and to let people across Scotland, England and Wales experience golden eagles. She thanked the community, partners, funders, raptor workers and estate managers, and said RUN will continue working with them and with new partners as it expands into northern England. RUN chair Michael Clarke said they were delighted to welcome Princeling and thanked Attenborough and all supporters for helping to mark the milestone, emphasising the team effort behind the recovery and the aim of shared ownership to protect eagles and other raptors from illegal persecution.