Paraglider pilots flying near Courcheval in France have been warned to take extra care because of recent attacks by golden eagles.
In what the local flying club, the Free Flight League of Auvergne Rhone Alps, called “alarming incidents” three pilots have been attacked on separate occasions.
In the first and worst incident a pilot was attacked in mid-air on Saturday 6 April while flying on the Dent du Villard, a 2,284m peak in Bozel in southeastern France.
The eagle targeted the pilot, not the canopy, and left the pilot needing stitches on his arm and neck. Identified only as Thomas, the pilot took off with two friends around midday when the attack happened.
Thomas was hit on the head and neck first and then the arm in an encounter that lasted 13 minutes from start to finish, according to a report in the French press.
Le Figaro reported: “At the head of the group, Thomas was targeted by an eagle, which attacked him by surprise at helmet level. Despite his efforts to defend himself, he suffered a serious neck injury. For almost thirteen minutes, the bird of prey clung to his arms, piercing his skin several times, without letting go despite the presence of another paraglider nearby.”
The report added: “Despite the pain, the pilot managed to keep his flight on course, avoiding an accident. In the end, the eagle released him around 100m from the landing area.”
The pilot was treated for his injuries and required stitches and exploratory surgery. A second pilot was also targeted by an eagle on the same day in the same area.
A week later, on Saturday 13 April, a third pilot was targeted.
Bird experts have said the behaviour is most likely defensive – motivated by the need to defend territory during breeding season.
Golden eagles are known as royal eagles in France and are widely distributed throughout the Alps. There are thought to be 1,000 in the French Alps. They have a wingspan of 1.9m to 2.34m and their hind talon ranges from 4.5-6.3cm long.
Pilots have been asked to avoid the Dent du Villard and Col de la Chal area until the end of August to allow the golden eagles to breed in peace.
While paraglider and hang glider pilots often report their wing being attacked or dive-bombed by wedge-tail eagles in Australia, aggressive or defensive behaviour from birds of prey in Europe is less common. Reports of eagles or birds of prey targeting the pilot – rather than the wing – are rare.
Many local free-flight clubs co-exist happily with birds of prey, and it is not unknown for eagles to nest close to flying sites. Many clubs issue seasonal notices restricting flying during the nesting season.
A full list of bird-sensitive sites in southeastern France is available at this website.
