A sad end for an unfortunate turtle who not only finds a path, but also a meal for a group of tawny eagles.
“Anticipation was high as I headed down the H3 towards Berg-en-Dal. Having visited South Africa regularly since the 1980s, I am no stranger to the park’s incredible wildlife, but I always feel a thrill of excitement at the prospect of discovering something new. Little did I know, I was about to witness something incredible.
“I noticed something on the road ahead: three tawny eagles. Two of them took flight and perched on nearby trees as I approached. But one stayed on the ground, feasting on something. At first, the object being eaten looked like a small piece of meat.”
Tawny eagles, like the ones Erland saw, are common in Kruger National Park. These birds of prey are known for their keen eyesight and impressive hunting abilities. While they primarily feed on small mammals such as rodents and hares, they are also known to eat carrion. In fact, tawny eagles are often seen perched on the side of the road, waiting for their opportunity to swoop down and feed on the road𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁.
Eagle Rips Tortoise Apart LiмƄ Ƅy LiмƄ!
“It was a grim sight. A small turtle that was eaten by a speeding car was being eaten by the eagle. The eagle did not feel intimidated by my presence. “Continuously pecking at the soft exposed limbs of the crushed turtle.”
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Unfortunately, Road𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 is a common sight in the Kruger National Park. As well as many other areas with high levels of wildlife trafficking. Animals such as ipalas, birds and small reptiles are particularly susceptible to being hit by flying cars, especially at night when availability is low.
Eagle destroys turtle
While it can be difficult to completely avoid hitting an animal on the road. There are some steps visitors can take to reduce the likelihood of causing harm. Slowing down and following the speed limit is a simple way to give animals time to move out of the way.
“Finally, the eagle picked up its prize and flew to a nearby tree. “Then it continued to feed on the little turtle until there was nothing left but the shell.”
