The “elusive” giant eagle, on the loose for five days, is back home.

Nikita, a ten-year-old Steller’s sea eagle, went missing on Saturday morning during training at the Hawk Experience in Brackenbottom, Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Chris O’Donnell, the bird’s trainer, was inundated with over 50 calls from the public with various sightings of the striking bird.

The bird was eventually found in a field near Great Eccleston, Lancashire, yesterday.

Chris said: “We spotted Nikita circling us but she was very wary to approach us. We eventually tempted her with a rabbit’s leg.

“She is very tired and hungry but it’s good to have her back.”

During the five days Chris has spent hunting for Nikita, a film-crew has been capturing his every move.

Chris added: “Like the famous saying goes, ‘No small children or animals were harmed during this making of this programme’!”