A GOLDEN eagle that went missing in the Ringwood area last week after being mobbed by crows has been found alive and well.

Gerry the golden eagle, who belongs to Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre, went missing on Wednesday July 28 and couldn’t be located after biting off his tracker.

Just under a week later, Liberty’s Owl announced his return on social media to the delight of thousands of followers.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has been keeping an eye out, checking their gardens and sharing our posts.

“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and phone calls of sightings. Without the power of social media, finding him would have been even more difficult.

“After 6 days of tirelessly searching, walking and going to the call outs, we are over the moon that he is finally home and safe.”

A sighting was reported yesterday morning on Nouale Lane, Ringwood. Two falconers confirmed the sighting, before seeing Gerry disappear over the tree line.

The eagle was not spotted again until around 2pm today, when Liberty’s Owl received a phone call saying he was perched on a house near Hightown lakes.

The spokesperson added: “We are glad the game of hide and seek is over and we are now looking forward to him returning to our flying demonstrations after some much needed r and r.”