A white-tailed eagle discovered dead in February last year in Fuglebjerg, located between Slagelse and Næstved, succumbed to poisoning from pentobarbital, a drug commonly used by veterinarians for euthanizing domesticated pets such as dogs and cats. The information was released by DOF Birdlife along with a report detailing the circumstances surrounding the eagle's death, marking a troubling case among wildlife toxicity incidents.

Upon examination, approximately 400 grams of meat was found in the eagle's throat and crop, which was contaminated with the toxic substance. Dr. Tim Kåre Jensen, a veterinary expert from the Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, confirmed that the adult eagle's death was solely attributed to the ingestion of this drug. However, he could not determine the exact sources or circumstances leading to the eagle consuming the poisoned meat.

This incident is part of a larger concerning trend; DOF Birdlife has reported 69 known cases of poisoning affecting raptors over the past two decades. This raises significant questions about wildlife safety and the management of toxic substances in the environment, as incidents like these could have broader ecological consequences and highlight the urgent need for strategies to protect local fauna from poisons that are intended for domestic animals but impact wildlife indiscriminately.