In five days, at least five people were attacked by golden eagles. Several investigations indicated that it was the same eagle that attacked repeatedly. By carrying out a DNA analysis, the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA) would determine whether it was actually the same eagle that attacked several people, or whether the attacks came from different eagles. Destroyed DNA sample A DNA analysis from a tissue sample of the eagle and a feather that was found in the terrain at Holtålen should provide an answer as to whether the eagle that was euthanized was alone in the attacks. – That test did not work, says researcher Oddmund Kleven in Rovdata to news on Friday. He has been responsible for the DNA analyses. The reason is damaged DNA in the sample NINA took from the eagle’s feathers, he says. – There is not much we can do. This can happen with feathers that have been outside and been affected by several factors. I would like to have a positive answer to give, says Kleven. All the attacks that have occurred have turned out to be from a so-called yearling, i.e. an eagle that was born in early spring this year, and that has recently left the nest. Believes it is the same eagle Ornithologist at Birdlife Norway, Alv Ottar Folkestad, already concluded on Monday that it could be one individual. – This is completely unknown behavior, and you will not find anything in the literature about this. Therefore, it is important for the authorities to investigate it even more closely, Folkestad told news earlier this week. Line Tveit and her partner Karl Martin Valestrand were attacked by an eagle on their way down from Glittertind towards Spiterstulen on Thursday. Jo Anders Auran, senior advisor in the wildlife section at the Norwegian Environment Agency, also agreed early on that there must be one and the same eagle. – It has never happened before that eagles have attacked people, and then it happens four times in a week. It is an extreme event, so this must have a cause, said Auran and added: – This is so special that it is highly unlikely that there are several eagles who have done the same thing at the same time. These are the five cases of golden eagle attacks: Tyin in Sogn last Tuesday. Two different attacks on Glittertind on Thursday. Holtålen in Trøndelag on Friday. Orkdal in Trøndelag on Saturday. After the attack on a child in Orkdal, the golden eagle was euthanized by the Viltnemnda. Published 13.09.2024, at 12.47 Updated 13.09.2024, at 12.50 p.m
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