Ireland releases 245 white-tailed eagle chicks a century after extinction
Once extinct, white-tailed eagles now soar across Ireland's skies again. Conservationists released 245 young eagles since 2007, which has boosted the population. These magnificent birds are now breeding and expanding their territory independently across the country. The National Parks and Wildlife Service estimates around 150 eagles live in the wild. Despite ongoing threats, the species is…
Ireland has reintroduced 245 white-tailed eagle chicks into the wild over the past century since the species became extinct due to human persecution. Since 2007, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has released 245 young eagles, primarily from Norway, as part of a reintroduction program. By 2026, there are now 17 known breeding pairs, with the species successfully breeding on its own.
The birds have been observed breeding at Lough Léin in Killarney for the fifth consecutive year, with two young eagles fledging the nest. Although the reintroduction program officially concluded in 2025, conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure the long-term survival of the species, which is considered vulnerable to threats such as illegal poisoning and avian influenza.
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