Golden eagles, which last inhabited England in 2016, may soon return as part of the UK government's commitment to ecological restoration. The government has identified eight potential recovery zones across northern England and the south-west. Reintroducing these apex predators aligns with the 25-year environment plan aimed at enhancing biodiversity. Golden eagles play a vital role in regulating prey populations, which include medium-sized birds and mammals like rabbits and hares. Their absence has led to an overabundance of meso-predators, disrupting the food chain. By returning, golden eagles could restore balance, control prey numbers, and scavenge carcasses, preventing disease spread. They also serve as indicators of environmental health, similar to their role in the 1960s when they highlighted the dangers of agricultural pesticides. While the ecological impacts of their reintroduction are complex, the potential benefits are significant, as seen with other successfully reintroduced species in England.