Golden eagles were reintroduced to Ireland, but without prey they’re now struggling to thrive

In the early 2000s, golden eagles soared once again over the hills of Donegal in northwest Ireland, for the first time in nearly a century. Their return was celebrated as a landmark in Irish conservation, a hopeful sign that one of the island’s most iconic predators was back.

But two decades on, the reality is sobering. The population remains small with just five…

© La Conversation - mardi 8 juillet 2025