A motorist in western North Carolina had a startling encounter when a bald eagle dropped a cat carcass onto her car's windshield while driving on US Route 74 near Bryson City. The incident occurred on Wednesday (November 19) and left the driver uninjured but understandably shaken.
In a call to 911, the driver reported, "You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield. It absolutely shattered my windshield." The dispatcher responded with assurance, saying, "I do believe you, honestly," and then laughed nervously.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's Kendrick Weeks explained that bald eagles, known for scavenging, might have picked up the cat as roadkill. Eagles can drop prey for various reasons, such as a poor grip or if the prey struggles, potentially causing injury to the bird.
The driver mentioned that another person witnessed the unusual event, describing it as "the craziest thing I've ever seen."
The dispatcher confirmed that the cat did not survive and was found on the roadside.