Half of the nestling white-tailed eagles in Moldova disappeared during the last two years as a result of wood cutting, the Society for Birds and Nature Protection has said. This documented the felling of trees that led to the destruction of two of the four nests of white-tailed bald eagles known in Moldova. The white-tailed eagle was included in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova owing to the low number of pairs that build nests in Moldova, IPN reports.

In a press release, the Society says that the bird is very precarious and builds nests far from human settlements and on high and robust trees that can support the nest that can reach several tonnes. Owing to the lack of suitable nest-building places and wood cutting, the number of nestling pairs fell to 4 in 2013, 3 in 2014 and only 2 in 2016.

This spring, the tree where the only pair of white-tailed eagles lived in the scientific reserve “Padurea Domneasca” has been felled. This nest was monitored in 2012 – 2015. In 2012, the pair raised two baby birds, while during the next years by only one baby bird.

The Society for Birds and Nature Protection made an approach to the Ministry of Environment, asking investigating this case and identifying and penalizing the culprits. However, the Ministry said the tree felling in the reserve was legal and denied that the tree was cut down.

The Society warns that the maintaining of this species on Moldova’s territory depends first of all on the people. Ornithologists say the cutting of trees and the lack of reaction on the part of the Moldovan authorities will lead to the disappearance of the largest prey bird in the country.