A wild golden eagle chick has hatched in County Donegal for the first time since the species became extinct in Ireland a hundred years ago.
Glenveagh National Park was the site chosen for a project attempting to reintroduce golden eagles to Ireland. The project began in 2001 and by 2005 some 42 birds had been released into the wild.
This chick is the culmination of hard work by different groups, says Joe Gatins of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the project has been welcomed by locals here,
The farming community has supported it and assisted in every way.
The exact location of the eagle's nest is being kept secret to ensure the nest is not disturbed. Project manager for the reintroduction of the Golden Eagle Lorcan O'Toole explains that the next seven weeks are crucial for the chick's survival, and if all goes well, visitors to the park should be able to see the family in the skies over Glenveagh National Park,
It's great to think that...Ireland once again has wild-bred eagles.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 May 2007. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
