MEASURES WILL be put in place to further protect the white-tailed sea eagle, one of the world's largest birds of prey, the scientist in charge of the project said yesterday as news emerged that a further 20 eagles have been flown here from Norway.
Some of the original 15 eagles introduced last year have now ranged as far as Lough Neagh, and other parts of the North of Ireland.
Last year's 15 now number only 11, four having been lost to poisoned bait - most, in hilly sheep-farming country in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks area of Co Kerry.
Gardaí are investigating the possibility that the poisoning may have been deliberate. The second batch of eagle fledglings to arrive in this country are being kept at a secret location in the Killarney National Park and will be released in stages from early August.
Dr Allan Mee, the scientist in charge of the ambitious reintroduction project, said measures were being put in place to wean this year's clutch off carrion at an early stage, so that they will take to fish sooner and not be so vulnerable to poisoned bait.
He said fears that the eagles would target lambs had not materialised and the farming community in the Black Valley and other parts of south and west Kerry were supportive. Last year's birds have moved as far as Derry and Co Down, some returning to the Killarney area. Others have ranged as far as Sligo and Waterford.
"People generally have been very positive," Dr Mee said.
The eagles are already a tourist attraction with hill walkers and others eager to spot them in the vicinity of the Killarney lakes and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
The project, under the auspices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Golden Eagle Trust and others is supported locally by hoteliers and the Killarney Town Council.
It is part of a five year process which will see further sea eagles arrive in the coming years.