The eagle was one of a breeding pair

Northern Constabulary said it has established that the female sea eagle, which was found by a hill walker in the Morar peninsula in late February, had taken poisoned bait.

The male of the pair was deliberately poisoned in the same area in May 2002.

Officers have repeated their warning that they will prosecute anyone found to have been involved in poisoning the birds.

To have both members of a breeding pair killed in this way is a blow felt throughout the community and is a substantial threat to the long term viability of the entire project Keith Morton, RSPB

Northern Constabulary Wildlife Liaison Officer, Constable John Bryden, said: "I'd like to remind the public that poisoned baits are indiscriminate they can kill other species of wildlife as well as being dangerous to humans.

"To prevent the unnecessary death of any more wild animals I am appealing to the public to come forward with information which may assist our enquiries."

Keith Morton, Investigations Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: "This is the fifth bird found poisoned since reintroduction of sea eagles began in the mid 1970s but it is the third such incident in little over a year.

"It shows a blatant disregard for wildlife and a contempt for the wider interests of local people.