Golden eagles and wildcats could return to England The UK government announced a scheme to reintroduce wildcats and golden eagles back into the country. Reintroductions and habitat restoration work will help reverse decline of wildlife and meet new legally binding biodiversity targets, said the government in a new announcement. Golden eagles have been almost completely absent from English skies for around 180 years, and wildcats, it is widely believed, have not lived in the country for over 200 years. Environment secretary George Eustace observed, while announcing the new scheme, that the “UK is sadly one of the most nature depleted countries in the world”.