Many raptor enthusiasts and members of the public have closely followed the life of ALMA the young Golden Eagle satellite tagged by Roy Dennis two years ago and whose movements have been followed with great interest on the Highland Wildlife Foundation website. ALMA was found dead on the Milden Estate near Brechin on 8th July and toxicology confirmed that the bird had been poisoned. Image of ALMA being satellite tagged courtesy of Roy Dennis. Early this morning, Tayside Police with government staff and wildlife experts carried out an intensive search of grouse moors, houses and vehicles on Milden Estate, near Brechin. This estate is in Glen Esk, Angus and has been visited by Alma on a regular basis since early April. Much of the information about Alma's last days and the circumstances of her death are confidential while the ongoing police investigation is under way. Tayside Police issued a statement today. Superintendent Ewen West, of Tayside police, said: ''The golden eagle was part of a project being undertaken by Scottish Natural Heritage. The bird was being continuously tracked and when her movements came to an abrupt stop at the beginning of July suspicions were raised that she had died. Sadly, she had been illegally poisoned." Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish environment minister, said: "I am truly appalled that yet another golden eagle has been illegally killed in Scotland - the second this summer. Illegal poisoning is simply inexcusable and while the perpetrators are certainly beneath contempt they are in no way above the law. "Poisoning of course poses serious animal welfare risks, but these offences also damage Scotland's tourism industry our economy and can even tarnish the reputations of those working in our countryside within the law. "The fact this eagle was tagged and the Scottish public were actively engaged in its progress, only makes this case all the more galling. The loss of this magnificent animal is a real blow to Scotland, particularly as we are renowned world-wide for our incredible wildlife." Dr Ian Jardine, chief executive of Scottish Natural Hertiage, said: "We are working with police and other partners in the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) to try and wipe out poisoning of wildlife. "It would appear that a determined minority are continuing to spoil people's enjoyment of these magnificent golden eagles." Duncan Orr-Ewing of the RSPB said "It's depressing that wildlife crime is continuing to affect Scotland's iconic birds in the 21st century. Recent studies by Scottish Natural Heritage have concluded that illegal poisoning is having a serious impact on golden eagle populations in some areas, including the Eastern Highlands. We're continuing to assist the police with their investigation, and urge people to show their support for the end of this type of crime by signing up to our campaign at www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey" Alma the Eagle had given so many people, in Scotland and beyond, an amazing insight into the lives of golden eagles in Scotland. We followed her from those first forays with her parents in Glenfeshie to her exploration of Scotland; she lived mainly around the Cairngorms, but made some long flights - the furthest to Loch Maree in April 2007. She lived for two years and we were all looking forward to her becoming an adult and choosing a mate and a nest. Her data was building real information on the cultural behaviour of eagles. Her dreadful loss saddens us and robs us of an important scientific project, and robs her of her life. Raptor workers are involved in collecting scientific data but it is difficult at times to avoid getting emotionally involved with individual birds which have been watched and studied in detail. We can empathise with Roy's position having followed Alma on a daily basis for the last two years. In such circumstances, and all too often, raptor workers become victims of wildlife crime and it is little wonder that we show considerable frustration at the lack of progress being made to deal with a problem which is much more widespread than some official bodies would wish to publicly acknowledge. Further information on the BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8176728.stm and the Guardian website http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/30/conservation-scotland