A wild golden eagle has been hatched in Ireland for the first time since it became extinct here nearly 100 years ago.
The chick, now five weeks old, was hatched in Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal as part of the golden eagle project to reintroduce the bird into Ireland.
The successful breeding in the wild has been described as a milestone in efforts to improve biodiversity in Ireland and reverse the ongoing decline in native animal and plant species.
It has also comes as a major boost for plans to reintroduce two other extinct birds of prey over the coming months.
The golden eagle became extinct here by the 1920s and the last successful breeding took place in 1910 in Glenveagh.
Since it began in 2001, the golden eagle project has seen 46 wild birds brought over from Scotland and northern England as chicks and released into Glenveagh forest park.
The majority of birds have survived into adulthood and remained in the northwest, with some spreading as far as Co Galway and Co Fermanagh.
A number of birds had formed pairs and eggs were produced in 2005 and last year, but no birds hatched. However, last month two chicks were hatched in the same nest. One died after a week, which is considered to be normal.
It is hoped the surviving chick will "fledge" or take flight by the end of July.
Lorcan O'Toole, manager of the project, said the hatching was "a great breakthrough" and increased hope of further breeding in coming years.