Eagle attempts to snatch child in Australia

A wedge-tailed eagle tried to fly away with a young boy during a wildlife show in central Australia.

Bystanders were stunned to watch the enormous bird latch its talons on to the screaming boy's head during the show at Alice Springs Desert Park on July 6.



The wedge-tailed eagle attempted to airlift the boy, according to a BBC News report. According to onlooker Christine O'Connell, who captured and shared the photo of the attack on Instagram, the bird flew straight at the young boy and attacked him.

"At a nature park in Alice Springs we decided to go to a bird show the young boy in the green kept pulling his zipper up and down. For some reason the wedge-tailed eagle did not like it and instead of flying over to the log he is meant to for a photo opportunity he flew straight at the young boy and attacked him. The show was quickly cancelled and the boy taken off to first aid. Those talons are huge he was a very lucky young boy."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHrZqrvDfp7/?taken-by=55chris

However, according to BBC News, luckily the boy - believed to be between ages six and eight – escaped with a "superficial gash to his face."

PHOTO: CHRISTINE O'CONNELL / INSTAGRAM: 55CHRIS



After being contacted about the incident the park issued the following statement to media: “On Wednesday, July 6, an incident occurred at the Alice Springs Desert Park where an eagle made contact with an audience member. 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.”

This article originally appeared on BBC News.