Unveiling the Myth: Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja Attacks on a Human in the Amazon Forest

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ABSTRACT Predatory interactions between large raptors and primates offer insights into evolutionary dynamics and ecological roles in tropical ecosystems. Harpy Eagles ( Harpia harpyja ), known for their size, are generally thought to pose minimal threat to humans, with many studies focusing on diet. However, eagle attacks on humans are exceedingly rare and often anecdotal. Here we show the first scientifically documented case of a Harpy Eagle attacking an adult human in the Amazon rainforest. This finding challenges the assumption that Harpy Eagles do not pose threats to humans outside of nest defense and reveals that, under certain conditions, large raptors may engage in aggressive behavior toward humans. Our results suggest the need to reassess established views on eagle's interactions with humans, contributing to a broader understanding of predator–prey dynamics and highlighting the importance of sociality as an antipredator strategy.

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