The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is releasing the first of 27 chicks as part of an ongoing program in various areas around the nation in the upcoming weeks.

In Killarney National Park this morning, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister Malcolm Noonan, who oversees nature, heritage, and electoral reform, released the four chicks.

Mr. Martin praised everyone involved for their work on the initiative and stated that the bird is a significant component of Ireland's biodiversity and legacy.

"We all all invested in the survival of these rare and beautiful birds, and have a part to play in keeping them safe" , the minister added.

Eamonn Meskell of the NPWS explained that the chicks were flown to Ireland in June to be utilised in the reintroduction effort after being removed from natural nests in Norway in cooperation with that country's national park service.

"We took them off the cargo flight in mid-June, and since then, we've kept them in specially designed release cages until the birds gain sufficient strength to fly and their feathers fully develop. At this point, they're ready to fly out into the wild, so that's where we are right now."