Eagles to draw in tourists

WILDLIFE tourism is a term we will be hearing more often in the not too distant future, now that eagles have started to breed here again as part of what looks like being a successful reintroduction programme.

Tourism interests in Killarney, always quick to eye an opportunity, were among the first supporters of the plan to bring back white-tailed sea eagles and, so far, around 100 birds of Norwegian origin have been set free in the wilderness of Killarney National Park.

The eagles have scattered around the country, forming breeding pairs. Three chicks have been born this year, which is seen as a hugely significant breakthrough. Boatmen on Killarney Lakes regularly report seeing mature eagles, the biggest birds of prey with an 8ft wing span, soaring in the skies. Eventually, eagles will become a visitor attraction in their own right.