Two thieves who stole wood in an Estonian forest were caught on a webcam set up to watch a family of eagles, wildlife rangers said on Thursday.
Internet surfers contacted authorities on Wednesday after hearing a sawing noise via the webcam perched near an eagle nest in Jogeva in central Estonia, Raivo Vadi, head of the local environmental inspectorate, told reporters.
Rangers went to the site and caught two men felling trees without a licence, he said.
They now face a fine for theft and could get into hot water for disturbing the eagles, because it is illegal to approach a nesting area between March and August.
Estonia, a nation of 1,3 million people, is one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe.
It is also one of the most internet-wired places in the world, earning the nickname “E-Stonia”.
Combining the two, nature-themed webcams are highly popular in the Baltic state.
The group behind the eagle webcam — visible at www.looduskalender.ee/en/ — this year found itself with an unexpected hit when surfers worldwide flocked to catch a glimpse of wild boars feeding and frolicking in the snow. — AFP