THE death of a white-tailed sea eagle "remains uncertain" following a police investigation.

Hampshire Constabulary launched an investigation after one of the rare birds was found dead on the Isle of Wight.

Police say they have found "no evidence of unlawful killing".

Officers were called to a report of a dead sea eagle on Bowcombe Road after 5pm on February 24, 2022.

A second eagle was found dead in Dorset in late January last year.

READ MORE: Two rare eagles found dead as police investigation launched

The bird found on the Isle of Wight initially tested positive for Avian Influenza (AI), but a post-mortem revealed that this was not the cause of death.

Evidence showed that the bird has levels of two rodenticides, brodifacoum, and difenacoum in its system, but not at sufficiently high levels to have caused the death.

The post-mortem concluded that the bird's death remains "uncertain".

READ MORE: Sea eagles return to the south coast

There was no evidence of any lesions on the sea eagle to explain the cause of death.

Police Sergeant Stuart Ross of Hampshire Constabulary’s country watch team, said: “Hampshire Constabulary has carried out a thorough criminal investigation into the death of the White-tailed Eagle and have found no evidence of unlawful killing from the lines of enquires carried out and evidence gathered by officers.

“As such, we are satisfied that there is no evidence of criminal offences having taken place and that the death of the White-tailed Eagle is being treated as uncertain at this time”

“The criminal aspect of this investigation has now concluded, but we urge all users of rodenticides, particularly brodifacoum, which is known to be highly toxic to wildlife, to follow all guidelines regarding use.

“Brodifacounm should only be used in and around buildings.”

READ MORE: White-tailed eagles in southern England for centuries spread their wings

The birds, often spotted flying over the New Forest, were part of a reintroduction project.

The five-year reintroduction programme – which began with the release of a group of young eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019 – continued in 2020 with the release of seven new birds.

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