Norway's golden eagle conundrum: A surge in human attacks
In Norway, an eagle attacked an almost two-year-old girl. The mother immediately rushed to help, but she could not free her daughter from its talons on her own. This event is part of a series of golden eagle attacks on people that have occurred in recent weeks.
Golden eagles are predators that typically hunt smaller mammals such as hares, martens, ground squirrels, or marmots. However, sometimes their prey includes larger animals, such as foxes, sheep, young chamois, and even, as documented, sika deer. These powerful birds possess exceptionally sharp talons and strong, muscular legs, enabling them to crush the skull of their prey.
As reported by the portal tygodnik.interia.pl, on September 7, in the Norwegian region of Trøndelag, an unusual incident occurred. A woman was spending time in the yard with her children when suddenly her youngest child, a 20-month-old girl, was attacked by a large eagle. The bird, with a wingspan nearly 2 metres, attempted to lift the child into the air.
The mother reacted immediately and tried to stop the predator, but the eagle was relentless. It wasn't until the intervention of a neighbour, who used a wooden pole, that the bird finally released the child. The child sustained injuries, including cuts on the head and face, which required several stitches.
Eagles attacking in Norway
Norwegian media reported after the attack that several similar incidents occurred within a few days. One of them involved a 31-year-old courier, Francis Ari Sture, who was also attacked by an eagle during a mountain hike. The bird attacked him six times, and the man defended himself with a backpack and kicks. After about a 10-minute struggle, he managed to fend off the predator.
Furthermore, the day before, Mariann Myrvang reported needing assistance after being attacked by an eagle in the Orkanger region. Something large and heavy suddenly landed on her shoulders, causing her to fall to her knees and preventing her from standing up.
