The same eagle is behind several of the attacks – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio

In five days, at least five people were attacked by golden eagles. Several investigations have indicated that it was the same eagle that attacked repeatedly. Now the Norwegian Environment Agency has determined that it is the same eagle that has had close contact with humans in three of the five cases. This applies to the incidents in Vang, Holtålen and Orkland municipality. The Norwegian Environment Agency concludes this based on image analyses. Good image material The directorate writes in its press release that the image material relating to the eagle attacks is very good. This has made it possible to determine that in three of the five attacks it was the same eagle. This applies to the attacks in Vang, Holtålen and Orkland municipality. – It is completely unique with such confrontations between golden eagles and people that we have seen in several places in Norway in the last couple of weeks, says Susanne Hanssen, senior adviser at the Norwegian Environment Agency. In the last two attacks, the Norwegian Environment Agency does not have good enough pictures to say with certainty that it is the same eagle. 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. – We are not aware of similar incidents either in Norway or internationally. The now euthanized eagle had very abnormal behavior and lacked shyness towards people, says Hanssen. 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. 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. Published 13.09.2024, at 12.47 Updated 13.09.2024, at 18.00



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