Eagle Attacks And Steals Drone In Amazing Footage, See It Now

By Chad Langen | Updated

In a breathtaking collision between nature and technology, a formidable eagle asserted its territorial dominance by attacking a photographer’s drone, an incident that was fortuitously captured on video.

See The Drone Footage

The footage, which has since been shared on Reddit, has left viewers in complete awe of the stunning encounter.

This extraordinary incident showcases the sheer power and boldness of nature, as well as the unforeseen ways in which wildlife can interact with technological devices.

The Drone Was In Capitol Reef National Park

The video, captured by the drone’s camera, shows Adam Culbertson smoothly maneuvering his aircraft near the stunning landscape of Capitol Reef National Park in Torrey, Utah.

About a minute into the clip, the serene and uninterrupted flight is suddenly disrupted in a most dramatic fashion. From the corner of the frame, the powerful wing of an eagle comes into view, followed swiftly by the eagle’s head, beak, wings, and belly as it expertly snatches the drone from the sky, claiming the mechanical intruder for itself.

The Eagle Carried The Drone Out Of Range

On Instagram, Culbertson, who goes by the handle @atomic_adventure, recounted his incredible encounter, describing how the eagle asserted its dominance over its airspace and didn’t drop the drone, but instead carried it out of range, presumably to a distant nest.

Culbertson was relieved to share that the eagle remained unharmed during the incident due to a safety feature on the drone that shuts off its propellers upon impact. This feature was crucial in preventing any potential harm to the majestic bird.

The Drone Owner Was In Good Spirits

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In a playful and light-hearted manner, Culbertson expressed his hope that someone, somewhere, might someday stumble upon the extended footage of his encounter, humorously conceding that the eagle’s skills behind the camera were superior to his own.

Despite his best efforts to retrieve the stolen drone, he was left empty-handed as the eagle rapidly disappeared into the vast, rugged expanse of the Utah backcountry, taking the drone to an unknown destination far removed from the photographer’s reach.

This unfortunate turn of events left Culbertson with no choice but to contemplate where his equipment might have ended up, coming to terms with the probability that it was gone for good.

DJI Gave Him A Replacement Drone

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Fortunately, Culbertson’s misadventure had a positive outcome, with him sharing on Reddit that DJI provided him with a replacement drone. This resolution was due to the unique circumstances of his situation, with the theft of his equipment by an eagle being classified as a “flyaway”, a term used to describe situations where a drone is lost due to factors beyond the controller’s command.

In Culbertson’s case, the unexpected factor was an eagle claiming dominion over its airspace in a truly magnificent display of nature’s power.

This Is Just One Example

Culbertson’s encounter adds to a burgeoning collection of videos showcasing eagles as they skillfully snatch drones right out of the sky.

Such instances offer a captivating glimpse into the unforeseen ways in which the animal kingdom intersects with human-made technology, with the regal birds asserting their dominance over their aerial territory.

As technology increasingly infringes upon the natural world, these powerful displays serve as poignant reminders of the significance of honoring and respecting the wild and its inhabitants.