Golden Eagle Attacks Toddler and Three Others: “It Kept Coming Back”

In a shocking incident in Norway, a young golden eagle attacked a toddler, causing injuries severe enough to require stitches. This incident is part of a troubling trend, marking the eagle’s fourth reported attack on humans within just a week.

The aggressive behavior of the golden eagle occurred over a span of five days across an expansive mountainous region in southern Norway. Generally, golden eagles, which are quite common in Norway and are the country’s second-largest bird of prey, prey on smaller animals such as rabbits, foxes, and sheep.

The victims of the bird’s recent attacks, including the toddler, needed medical attention for deep gouges and cuts. Per Kare Vinterdal, a gamekeeper who ultimately killed the bird, remarked that the eagle viewed the little girl as “prey.” He recounted the terrifying moment, explaining that the child’s mother and a neighbor had to intervene to free her from the eagle’s grip, with the neighbor using a stick to fend off the aggressive bird.

Behavioral expert Alv Ottar Folkestad from BirdLife Norge speculated that the eagle might be suffering from a behavioral disorder that contributed to its attacks. He noted that the actions of the eagle were “radically different from normal.” Folkestad suggested that the eagle was likely a female born earlier this year, pointing to distinctive details in its plumage that make each golden eagle unique.

According to Folkestad, the recent weather conditions with high-altitude winds may have enabled the eagle to cover considerable distances easily. In the latest incident, a 20-month-old girl was playing outside on a farm in Orkland when the eagle swooped in, striking her unexpectedly. Her father, who was not present during the attack, heard from the mother about the dramatic efforts to save their daughter as she fought to pull the eagle away.

The eagle reportedly attacked the girl multiple times before it was eventually killed with a piece of wood. The father’s account revealed that his daughter suffered multiple wounds, including stitches on the back of her head and claw marks on her face and under her chin. He vividly described the scene, stating, “The eagle came out of nowhere and grabbed our youngest daughter.” Their mother acted heroically, battling the bird while a neighbor rushed to help.

Reports indicate that the girl is recovering well, and both she and her mother have thankfully been reported as doing fine after the traumatic experience. The family’s identity remains private as they have requested not to be contacted.

The police are aware of this series of attacks but have not released detailed information regarding the incidents. A gamekeeper has confirmed their response to the situation. Others in the area have also reported being attacked by the same eagle; one man even managed to capture footage of the encounter.

Another victim, Mariann Myrvang, described her harrowing experience when the eagle descended on her from the sky. She cried out for help as the bird landed heavily on her shoulders. In distress, she knelt down, unable to stand under the weight of the golden eagle. Her husband used a branch to scare the bird away. The claws of the eagle left deep marks in her skin, and she subsequently sought medical treatment for her injuries, receiving penicillin and a tetanus shot.

Golden eagles are impressive creatures that range in length from about 80 to 93 centimeters (approximately 2 feet 7.5 inches to 3 feet long) and have a wingspan reaching around 2 meters (about 6.5 feet). Males typically weigh between 6.6 to 8.8 pounds, while females can weigh as much as 11 pounds, making them formidable birds of prey.

In a similar vein earlier this year, there were reports of hawk attacks in a suburb of Minneapolis, where residents experienced alarming encounters with the birds, including one woman who found talon marks on her scalp after being attacked.

As this situation unfolds in Norway, wildlife experts continue to seek explanations for this unusual behavior shown by the golden eagle.