Among other things, a two-year-old girl outside Trondheim was attacked by a golden eagle, which news agency NTB has reported. However, the attacks have occurred at several locations. Nevertheless, much suggests that it is one and the same individual, a young female, which was also put down after the attack on the girl.
Bird Expert Surprised
The attacks, however, puzzle bird expert Niklas Aronsson.
The probability is non-existent. Eagles are basically very shy towards humans, he says.
What lies behind the behavior is difficult to understand – and even speculate about, Aronsson believes. A golden eagle could mistake a small child for another mammal.
But that doesn't explain the other attacks on adult humans. There is no rhyme or reason for a golden eagle to attack an adult human.
Cannot Lift Heavy
Golden eagles have sharp claws that can cause harm. However, according to Aronsson, they do not have the ability to lift particularly heavy loads, a maximum of three and a half kilograms.
During breeding season, one should avoid being near nests. But one should not be afraid of eagle attacks, says Aronsson.
It's important to emphasize that it goes against everything we know about golden eagles.
An adult golden eagle can have a wingspan of just over two meters. The female is slightly larger than the male.
In Sweden, they breed in coniferous forest areas and mountains north of Dalarna, as well as on Gotland. They mainly feed on prey such as hares and poultry, but also often eat carcasses of larger animals.
