Frisa, the UK’s oldest known wild white-tailed eagle, has passed away on the Isle of Mull at the age of 32. She was the daughter of Blondie, the first white-tailed eagle to successfully fledge a chick in Scotland after the species’ reintroduction in 1975. Frisa’s death was announced on June 2 during the BBC’s Springwatch programme.
Hatched in 1992, Frisa spent her entire life on Mull, where she and her mate, Skye, raised 25 chicks over 28 years. Their nesting site was managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. Experts believe Frisa’s death resulted from natural causes or a possible altercation with another eagle, as she had not been seen since the previous year.
White-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, are the UK’s largest birds of prey, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. They typically live to around 20-25 years in the wild, though some have been known to reach 30 years under optimal conditions. Frisa’s longevity is a testament to the success of conservation efforts that have led to the establishment of approximately 150 breeding pairs in Scotland today.
Frisa’s legacy continues to inspire conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts, serving as a symbol of the resilience and recovery of the white-tailed eagle population in the UK.
