Driver's Terrifying Ordeal as Eagle Drops Feline Bomb
A motorist driving through western North Carolina had a miraculous escape on Wednesday morning after a bizarre and terrifying incident involving a bald eagle and a cat carcass. The woman was travelling along U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, near Bryson City, when the event unfolded, leaving her windscreen shattered but her person unharmed.
The Incredible 911 Call
In a recorded emergency call, the unidentified driver can be heard recounting the unbelievable event to a dispatcher. "You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windscreen," the incredulous driver stated, adding, "It absolutely shattered my windscreen."
The dispatcher's calm and believing response likely provided some comfort, as she replied, "OK. I do believe you, honestly," before letting out a laugh. The driver confirmed that another witness had seen the cat fall, with the passerby remarking it was the craziest thing he had ever witnessed.
After establishing the driver's location near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 65 miles southwest of Asheville, the dispatcher posed an unusual follow-up question: "Is the cat still alive?" The caller confirmed the feline was not, noting it had landed on the roadside and not inside her vehicle.
Wildlife Expert Weighs In on Bizarre Event
Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Program supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, offered some explanation for the strange occurrence. He suggested the cat was likely roadkill that the eagle had scavenged.
"But they can take animals the size of a cat," Weeks told The Associated Press. "It is much harder for them to take a live cat than a dead cat. They usually don’t prey on something they don’t find palatable. And, scavenging is a common behaviour in bald eagles."
He elaborated that eagles and other raptors can drop their prey for several reasons, including:
- Having a poor grip on the animal.
- The prey struggling, causing the bird to release it to avoid injury.
- Being harassed by another bird of prey.
- The load becoming too heavy to carry further.
Bald Eagle Populations Thriving
The incident highlights the thriving population of these majestic birds in the region. Bald eagles are native to North Carolina and most of North America, and their numbers have been steadily increasing. According to Weeks, there are now more than 200 nesting pairs in North Carolina alone.
These impressive birds can weigh anywhere from 6.5 to 13.5 pounds (3 to 6.3 kilograms) and boast impressive wingspans stretching from 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 metres). The driver's astonishing story serves as a remarkable reminder of the powerful and sometimes unpredictable wildlife sharing our environment.
