A wedge-tailed eagle tried to fly away with a terrified boy at a popular wildlife show in central Australia.
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A crowd of stunned onlookers watched the enormous bird latch its talons on to the screaming boy’s head during a show at Alice Springs Desert Park.
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Witnesses said the bird attempted to pick him up “like a small animal“.
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The boy – believed to be between six and eight years old escaped with a “superficial” gash to his face.
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Christine O’Connell from Horsham in Victoria state was visiting the park with her husband on 6 July when the attack occurred.
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She told the BBC the eagle flew straight for the boy from about 15m away.
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“A fellow who was sitting closer said the little boy kept running his zipper up and down,” said Mrs O’Connell, who caught the attack on her camera.
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Distracted by the noise, the eagle grabbed the boy’s green hoodie and attempted to lift him away before park staff moved in, Mrs O’Connell said.
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The attack left the boy crying and bleeding, but his injuries were not severe.
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A Victorian man who was in the crowd, Keenan Lucas, told the NT News the show was ended quickly after theattack.
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“We’re at the bird show in the afternoon, having a great time and looking forward to seeing the wedge-tailed eagle come out for the finale,” he said.
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“The bird then flew over the crowd and tried to grab on to a young boy’s head. He screamed, the mother was distraught and the presenters wrapped up the show very quickly.”
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The park issued a statement to the media after being contacted about the event.
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“On Wednesday, 6 July, an incident occurred at the Alice Springs Desert Park where an eagle made contact with an audience member,” the park said in a statement.
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“A thorough investigation regarding the circumstances behind this incident is under way and the eagle will be removed from the show while this investigation is ongoing.”
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