Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) restoration in the Lake District National Park; an investigation of public demand and economic benefits

• Main Authors: Ramsey, Andrew D., Nevin, Owen, Armstrong, Roy
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: 598 Birds; 577 Ecology; 719 Natural landscapes; Aquila chrysaetos; golden eagle; osprey
• Online Access: http://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1077/; https://www.zsl.org/

The Lake District National Park is the home of England’s only resident golden eagle, located on the hillside above Haweswater, west of Shap. Formerly a pair, until 2004 when the female disappeared, the male continues to display at the site. A questionnaire was conducted with tourists in Windermere at the heart of the Lake District National Park. Respondents were asked for their opinion regarding the restoration of a range of species. Respondents were largely in favour of restoration. Over 95% of respondents were in favour of a reintroduction of golden eagles, with 44% of respondents putting golden eagle as their top priority for restoration. There are both economic and legislative incentives for reintroduction. The nearby osprey viewing site at Dodd Wood brings in an estimated £2million per annum to the local economy. Eagle restoration has the potential to bring in additional visitors to the area drawing them away from the traditional Lake District honey-pots. In addition to meeting international and European commitments to restoration, the project would also meet local development agency targets towards sustainable tourism. What remains unclear at this time is the carrying capacity for golden eagles in the Lake District and surrounding countryside, and the attitude of other stakeholders such as hill farmers. However, there appears to be enormous potential for restoration of an iconic species with the potential funding outside of the normal conservation channels.