It is going to take a lot more than just being dive bombed by a bald eagle to change Chelsea Cheeba㽶Ƶֱs mind about the creatures.
㽶ƵֱThe one person who loves eagles the most is attacked by one, but hey, what can I say? Love hurts,㽶Ƶֱ Cheeba said.
On May 20, Cheeba was walking towards the Campbell River Home Depot when she saw the eagle in question land in a nearby tree. She then did what she always does, grabbed her phone to take a few photos.
㽶ƵֱI stopped like I normally do and zoomed in on my camera. I took a few pictures. I walked away, and the eagle just dive bombed me and hit me good in the back of the head,㽶Ƶֱ Cheeba said. 㽶ƵֱThen I felt the back of my head with my left hand. I looked at my hand and it was covered in blood.㽶Ƶֱ
Cheeba was helped out by a bystander, who got Cheeba into the bystander㽶Ƶֱs car and took her to a store for first aid supplies. A member of Cheeba㽶Ƶֱs family then came to take her to the hospital.
㽶ƵֱI got checked out and I got a tetanus shot,㽶Ƶֱ she said. 㽶ƵֱIt was scary when it first happened, then afterwards when my mom was taking me to the hospital we just started laughing about it.㽶Ƶֱ
Cheeba thinks that the eagle likely had a nest nearby with some young and was just being protective. However, when she walks to work now she is 㽶Ƶֱalways watching.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶ƵֱWhen I walk by an eagle tree heading to work I㽶Ƶֱm thinking 㽶Ƶֱdon㽶Ƶֱt you attack me.㽶Ƶֱ㽶Ƶֱ
Bald eagles can grow to nearly a metre in height and can weigh over six kilograms.
㽶ƵֱThey don㽶Ƶֱt look that big when they㽶Ƶֱre in the sky flying, but when you get real close to them, oh yeah,㽶Ƶֱ Cheeba said. 㽶ƵֱIf the eagle really meant business it could have done more damage, that㽶Ƶֱs for sure.㽶Ƶֱ
Despite her ordeal, she says her love for the animals hasn㽶Ƶֱt changed, she would just prefer a bit more distance next time she sees one.
The Mirror has reached out to the MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre for a comment. This story will be updated with their response.
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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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