Why did authorities wait three months before appealing for information on missing White-tailed Eagles?

Mystery over fate of three missing White-tailed Eagles

THE RSPB is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of anyone complicit in the disappearance of three White-tailed Eagles at locations in  North Wales, Hampshire and Scotland.

The offer coincides with press releases issued by the Roy Dennis Foundation and Forestry England - two organisations involved in reintroduction projects for these very special raptors.

But why the delay in releasing the information given that two incidents  occurred three months ago?

Incident 1: 

On 13 September, a satellite tag belonging to bird G615 was recovered in remote moorland. The tag had been removed with a sharp instrument before being hidden in an attempt to dispose of it. Searches in the area to try and locate the body of the bird have so far been unsuccessful. Dyfed Powys Police are investigating.

Incident 2:

On 26 September, a satellite tag belonging to bird G842 was recovered from the River Rother, near Petersfield. It had been removed from the bird using a sharp instrument. Searches in the area to try and locate the body of the bird have so far been unsuccessful. Sussex Police are investigating.

Incident 3:

Concerns are growing for bird G819 after its tag, which usually transmits the data daily,  stopped working. The last transmission was sent on 8 November in the Moorfoot Hills south of Edinburgh in the Southern Uplands. Police Scotland are investigating.

Ruth Tingay of Raptor Persecution UK comments: "There is no doubt that at least two of these eagles were the victims of illegal persecution, given the clear evidence that their satellite tags had been cut off and crude attempts were made to hide them. 

"Given the area in south Scotland where the third White-tailed Eagle has vanished, is a well-known persecution hotspot, it would not be a surprise to learn that that bird has also been killed illegally, most likely shot."

The Wryneck says: The RSPB's money is probably safe. If it had made its reward offer in September, there would have been more prospect of information coming forth. But now the crime trail has probably grown cold. And even if, at this late stage, infomation does come to light, what realistic chance of successful prosecution leading to a conviction?