The owner of a golden eagle says he had an 'emotional moment', as he reunited with the bird who went missing two weeks ago.
John Nugent from Co Wicklow had previously made an appeal on Newstalk for his 12-year-old bird of prey, Kalin.
He managed to get lose from his leash after he was fed.
Speaking after finding him again, John told Lunchtime Live: "The eagle has landed, yes very much so - and thanks for all the help and support to get Kalin home.
"He's back and he's in good shape.
"We thought he was gone for good, because he's never been out of captivity and he's never killed in his life - he's always had his food given to him".
John said it was an emotional moment for both of them.
"I suppose two of us had an emotional moment between us - he jumped up on my hand and he gripped me like never before.
"I can't say the tears rolled down my face, but I was really emotional about the whole thing.
"And he wouldn't let go of my hand when he got up on my hand until he got back to this place, and then he jumped straight up on his perch and thinking he was home - you could feel it".
John has thanked everyone involved in the search.
"He's my buddy and I couldn't have done it without the support... I don't feel I own Kalin anymore, I think we all own Kalin at this stage because of the amount of people that were looking for him."
'There he was'
John explained what happened.
"The people who've helped me find Kalin was unbelievable - they were looking in ditches, in trees and everywhere.
"Kalin I know by some of the sightings had been in Avoca, Arklow, Brittas Bay, Wicklow - he's been around.
"And the only reason why is all the professional falconers has got in touch with me, and the National Parks and Wildlife, and said 'keep going the same route, keep walking the same route every day cause he could come back there.'
"And I walked the route every day, and just before I went home - before dark - yesterday I walked the same route again and there he was sitting on a tree".
He was said he found Kalin in a tree about a kilometre from where he took off from.
"He came back, and he came back within the area just like people had told me."
