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BRYSON CITY, N.C. – An unexpected incident unfolded on a highway in western North Carolina when a driver narrowly avoided injury after a cat carcass, seemingly dropped by a bald eagle, collided with her windshield. This unusual event occurred near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
According to the 911 call made by the driver, who remains unnamed, she was traveling along U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, close to Bryson City, when the bizarre mishap happened. Bryson City is located approximately 65 miles southwest of Asheville.
The circumstances surrounding the feline’s descent remain unclear. It is uncertain whether the cat slipped from the eagle’s grasp or if the bird intentionally released it, perhaps deciding it wasn’t to its liking.
In the recorded conversation with emergency services, the driver expressed her disbelief, stating, “You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield.” She described how the impact shattered her windshield entirely.
The dispatcher, demonstrating composure and a touch of humor, reassured the caller, saying, “OK. I do believe you, honestly,” followed by a laugh, acknowledging the strange yet true nature of the report.
The driver relayed that another person also saw the cat drop, remarking, “He’s like, ‘That is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.’ I’m like, ‘Really?’”
The dispatcher offered some assurance, saying, “Oh my goodness. Let’s see. I’ve heard crazier.”
“Well, that’s terrifying,” the caller said, to which the dispatcher replied with more nervous laughter, “Yeah.”
After getting the driver’s location, the dispatcher said she would send the Highway Patrol to do a report. “Another question,” the dispatcher asked. “Is the cat still alive?”
The caller said it wasn’t, but noted that the cat was on the side of the road and not in her car.
“Ok, I have to ask just to make sure,” the dispatcher said.
Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Program supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, said the cat dropped on the car could have been roadkill scavenged by the eagle.
“But they can take animals the size of a cat,” he said. “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 behavior in bald eagles.”
Eagles and other raptors can drop prey for several reasons, including having a poor grip or if the prey is struggling and the birds are trying to prevent injury to themselves, Weeks added.
Prey can also be dropped if a raptor is being harassed by another raptor or the prey becomes too heavy to continue carrying.
Bald eagles are native to North Carolina and most of North America.
Their populations have been increasing, and there are more than 200 nesting pairs in North Carolina. The birds can weigh anywhere from 6 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds (3 kilograms to 6.3 kilograms) and have wingspans of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 meters to 2.1 meters), Weeks told The Associated Press.
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