A total of 21 young eagles have been released into the wild across Munster in the second phase of a conservation project.
The eagles came to Ireland from Norway on June 25, this year, and were being looked about by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
NPWS said without the “enthusiastic support in monitoring nest sites and care of birds” by local landowners and farmers the project “could not succeed.”
It is hoped they will boost Ireland’s existing white-tailed eagle population and are part of a long term collaborative reintroduction programme which began in 2007.
The chicks were kept in purpose-built enclosures at four different sites; on the Shannon Estuary, Lough Derg, Waterford and in Killarney National Park.
When they had grown, matured and developed the feathers and muscles necessary for flight they were released.
Satellite tags will monitor their progress and integration into the existing Irish breeding population.
Last year 10 Norwegian-born chicks were flown into Ireland and released into the wild on the Shannon Estuary and Lough Derg. Of these 10, nine are still alive and have travelled throughout the country, with one travelling to Scotland.
LSL News.