White-tailed eagles were yesterday released into Killarney National Park by Minister for the Environment John Gormley after an absence of 80 years.
The eagles, once native birds of prey in the region, died out in Ireland in the early part of the last century due to excessive shooting and trapping.
The birds were imported as chicks from Norway in June. It is expected they will disperse to the coast over the coming weeks where their progress in the wild will be monitored by parks and wildlife staff over the next five years.
The eagles once had pride of place in the cultural and natural heritage of Ireland and are a major tourist attraction in the wild in Scotland, according to Mr Gormley.
Speaking as he released the birds the Minister said he hoped the reintroduction would lead to an increase in tourism in the southwest.
Mr Gormley added that one of his first duties as Minister was to be present when red kites were reintroduced in Co Wicklow, and he was delighted to note that golden eagles had also been reintroduced.
The White Tailed Eagle Project is a partnership between the Golden Eagle Trust, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and others with funding provided by the Department of the Environment.
The project will also help to meet the State's commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
