In brief
In a bizarre yet harmless incident, a driver in western North Carolina was struck by a cat dropped from a bald eagle as she traveled along a highway. The event raised questions about the eagle's behavior, with local wildlife experts weighing in on possible explanations.
In a surreal twist of fate, a North Carolina driver found herself in an unexpected situation when a cat dropped unexpectedly onto her windshield from a bald eagle while driving along U.S. Route 74 near Bryson City.
The incident occurred Wednesday morning as the driver, who remains unidentified, was cruising near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In a concerned call to 911, she recounted how an eagle reportedly released the feline onto her passenger side, shattering her windshield.
You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield, she told the dispatcher in disbelief. It absolutely shattered my windshield! The peculiar call was met with a surprisingly calm response from the dispatcher, who replied, OK. I do believe you, honestly, with laughter.
The driver further relayed that another witness also saw the strange event unfold, reinforcing the unusual nature of the situation. Amidst nervous laughter, the dispatcher confirmed: I’ve heard crazier things.
Questions arose regarding whether the eagle accidentally dropped the cat or had scavenged roadkill, as explained by Kendrick Weeks, a wildlife supervisor with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. He noted that eagles can carry prey as large as cats but usually find less palatable options more appealing.
After clarifying the situation with the caller, the dispatcher ensured the Highway Patrol would respond for a report, asking whether the cat was alive. The driver confirmed it was not, specifying it was on the side of the road and not remaining in her car.
Weeks emphasized that eagles may drop prey due to various reasons, including poor grip, harassment by other birds, or the prey becoming too heavy. As a species, Bald eagles are native to North Carolina, and their population is flourishing with more than 200 nesting pairs statewide.
