display
London (dpa) - After around 240 years, sea eagles are returning to southern England.
This year alone, seven birds were released on the Isle of Wight south of Southampton, according to the animal welfare organization Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England.
Six animals had already been released in the previous year and four survived.
A total of up to 60 sea eagles are to be released into the wild in the coming years.
The scientists would have observed the routes of the large birds, whose wingspan can be up to two and a half meters, via satellite.
They had flown as far as northern England and Scotland and were sighted over London, but then returned to the Isle of Wight.
Ornithologist Roy Dennis emphasized: "The project is still in its infancy, but sea eagles are back to life in southern England."
display
The birds of prey had been exterminated in Great Britain in the early 20th century, and a pair was last observed in southern England in 1780.
Since the 1960s, sea eagles from Norway have been reintroduced to Scotland.
Now they should also become at home again in the English Channel.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201229-99-837954 / 2
Roy Dennis Foundation on sea eagles
Images at Forestry England