Golden eagle chick hatches in Glenveagh national park

A wild golden eagle chick has hatched in Ireland for the first time in almost 100 years as part of a breeding programme in Co Donegal.

The chick was born around five weeks ago in Glenveagh National Park following a project to reintroduce the bird into Ireland.

It was hunted to extinction early last century.

The golden eagle project in Co Donegal has been in place for six years, with almost 50 wild birds being brought over from Scotland and northern England.

A number of them have formed pairs, but the chick born this year is the first to survive.

The hatching is being described as a "major breakthrough" in efforts to reverse the ongoing decline of native animal species.