Photo: Eagle Attacks Young Boy During Bird Show

7/12/2016
Updated:
7/12/2016

A strange incident occurred on July 6 when a wedge-tailed eagle mistook a young boy for lunch, according to reports.

Viewers watching the Eagle Encounter show at Alice Springs Desert Park in central Australia said they were awaiting the show’s finale when something went wrong.

Keenan Lucas, a witness, told NT News that the bird suddenly flew over the crowd and grabbed onto the hood of a young boy.

“He screamed, the mother was distraught, and the presenters wrapped up the show very quickly,” said Lucas. “It looked as if the bird tried to pick him up like a small animal and take off with him.”

The photographer, Christine O'Connell from Horsham in Victoria state, told BBC News that someone sitting closer said that the boy kept pulling his zipper up and down, which may have distracted the bird.

Park staff moved in as soon as the incident occurred, and the show was immediately canceled. The boy—thought to be 6-8 years old, was crying from the attack, but luckily only suffered a minor gash to the face.

“Those talons are huge he was a very lucky young boy,” O'Connell writes in her Instagram post.

Alice Springs Desert Park also released a statement to NT News.

“On Wednesday, July 6, an incident occurred at the Alice Springs Desert Park where an eagle made contact with an audience member,” the statement read.

“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.”