Loki, a four-year-old golden eagle, broke free after storm damage, and efforts are underway to locate the bird

A golden eagle named Loki has escaped his enclosure at Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences in County Antrim, sparking concern for the bird’s safety and well-being. The four-year-old male eagle broke free on Wednesday morning after storm damage to his enclosure, located near Magheramorne in Northern Ireland.

Loki’s owners, who run Hawk Walks Falconry Experiences NI in Ballyclare, have appealed to the public to help locate the bird. Despite several reported sightings, Loki remains at large, prompting growing worry from his carers. The falconry centre’s owner, David Trenier, explained that Loki was initially kept in a sturdy enclosure, but storm Darragh severely damaged its roof, leading to the eagle being moved to a temporary shelter meant for hawks. Loki managed to escape in this makeshift enclosure.

The owners of Hawk Walks have expressed deep concern over the bird’s fate, noting the challenges Loki would face in the wild, such as finding food and avoiding potential threats. Loki, a captive-bred bird, has been raised in a controlled environment and is accustomed to regular human interaction, making the adjustment to the wild particularly difficult.

Trenier spoke emotionally about the situation, sharing that Loki had become like family. “As a family, our hearts are broken,” he told BBC Radio Ulster. “We don’t see our birds as just work objects – they are part of our family. We spend every day with them, creating bonds that go beyond simple care.”

Since the eagle’s escape, the falconry centre has warned the public not to approach or attempt to capture Loki. Instead, they’ve urged people to note his location and contact them directly. The only confirmed sighting so far was near the Blue Circle Cruising & Sailing Club in Magheramorne, but Loki’s current whereabouts remain unknown.

Trenier cautioned that golden eagles are often confused with buzzards, noting that the two species are easily distinguishable by their size. “If you think you’ve seen an eagle, you haven’t. You’ll know when you see one—they’re huge,” he said. Loki’s identification will be easier, as he is wearing long leather jesses—about 16 inches long—on his legs, which should help spot him.

Golden eagles, which were once driven to extinction in Ireland, have been reintroduced over the past two decades. In 2018, the first wild golden eagle chick hatched in Ireland in more than 100 years. While golden eagles did nest in County Antrim during the late 1950s, no known golden eagle nests have been recorded in Northern Ireland in recent years.

The community and bird enthusiasts alike are now keeping an eye on the skies, hoping Loki will be safely found and returned to his caretakers.