Mon Sep 09 14:13:00 UTC 2024: ## Golden Eagle Terrorizes Norway, Attacking Four People in a Week
**ORKLAND, NORWAY** – A young golden eagle has been responsible for a series of violent attacks on humans in southern Norway over the past week, culminating in the vicious assault of a 20-month-old toddler on Saturday. The bird, identified as a female born this year, has displayed unusual aggression, attacking its victims with its powerful claws and leaving deep gouges requiring stitches and medical treatment.
The eagle’s behavior has baffled ornithologists, who believe the attacks stem from a behavioral disorder. Alv Ottar Folkestad, an eagle expert with BirdLife Norge, described the attacks as “radically different from normal” and emphasized that golden eagles typically prey on smaller animals and occasionally foxes and sheep.
The most recent attack occurred on Saturday as the toddler played outside a farm in Orkland. The eagle, described as coming “out of the blue,” swooped down and attacked the girl. The mother and a neighbor intervened, but only after the eagle had attacked three times, was it killed with a piece of wood.
This most recent incident follows three other reported attacks, including an attack on Mariann Myrvang on Wednesday. Myrvang described feeling “something big and heavy” land on her shoulders, resulting in deep claw marks that required penicillin and a tetanus shot.
The incidents have raised concerns and prompted the authorities to investigate. While police have confirmed they are aware of the attacks, they have limited details.
Gamekeeper Per Kare Vinterdal, who ultimately killed the eagle, believes the bird saw the toddler as prey. He described the eagle’s persistence, stating it kept returning to the scene even after being chased away.
Golden eagles are common in Norway and are known for their impressive size and wingspan. The female, larger than her male counterpart, can weigh up to 11 pounds.
This is not the first instance of aggressive avian behavior. Earlier this year, several residents in a suburb of Minneapolis reported being attacked by a hawk. The hawk left talon marks on a woman’s scalp and even flew off with her father’s hat.
Authorities continue to investigate the series of attacks in Norway, seeking to determine the cause behind this unusual behavior and ensure the safety of the public.
First Piper 