Goldie the Eagle

Goldie was a male golden eagle who lived at London Zoo in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. He caused a nationwide sensation when he escaped for 12 days in March 1965.

Goldie flew away from his keepers on 28 February 1965 while his cage was being cleaned. He avoided being recaptured for nearly two weeks, despite a massive effort using equipment borrowed from the Royal Navy and British Civil Defence. Goldie spent most of the time in Regent's Park, which surrounds the zoo, but he also made excursions into the nearby neighbourhoods of Camden Town, Tottenham Court Road and Euston.

Goldie's escape enthralled the British public. The zoo received thousands of phone calls and letters, and large crowds gathered in Regent's Park to watch the bird's keepers trying to catch him. There were severe traffic jams in the area as drivers circled the park, watching Goldie in flight.

The saga was closely covered by the media. On a BBC television programme, the reporter John Timpson unsuccessfully tried to lure Goldie by playing an Ethiopian bird pipe. Goldie was also mentioned during a debate in the House of Commons, where Members of Parliament greeted his name with cheers.

While free, the predatory bird killed and ate a duck in the garden of the American ambassador to Britain. He also attacked two terriers in the park, but was driven off by their owner.

Goldie was finally caught on 11 March after the zoo's deputy head keeper tempted him to earth with a dead rabbit. He was in good health after his experience and was reunited with his mate, Regina. The zoo's attendance nearly doubled in the days after his return.

Goldie escaped once again in December 1965. This time he spent only four days on the loose before being recaptured.

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/7/newsid_2516000/2516021.stm BBC News: On this day -- 7 March 1965: Goldie the eagle evades capture again] Includes photo of John Timpson playing bird pipe.
* [http://www.zsl.org/discovery-and-learning/zoo-world/famous-animals,98,AR.html London Zoo: Famous animals]