Goldie the Eagle
Encyclopedia
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 Ethiopia
n 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.
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
who lived at London Zoo
London Zoo
London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and British Civil Defence. Goldie spent most of the time in Regent's Park
Regent's Park
Regent's Park is one of the Royal Parks of London. It is in the north-western part of central London, partly in the City of Westminster and partly in the London Borough of Camden...
, which surrounds the zoo, but he also made excursions into the nearby neighbourhoods of Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, Tottenham Court Road
Tottenham Court Road
Tottenham Court Road is a major road in central London, United Kingdom, running from St Giles Circus north to Euston Road, near the border of the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Camden, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile...
and Euston
Euston railway station
Euston railway station, also known as London Euston, is a central London railway terminus in the London Borough of Camden. It is the sixth busiest rail terminal in London . It is one of 18 railway stations managed by Network Rail, and is the southern terminus of the West Coast Main Line...
.
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
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television programme, the reporter John Timpson
John Timpson
John Harry Robert Timpson OBE, , born in Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, was a British journalist, best known as a radio presenter. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, a boys' independent school in Northwood, London....
unsuccessfully tried to lure Goldie by playing an Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n bird pipe. Goldie was also mentioned during a debate in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, 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
- BBC News: On this day -- 7 March 1965: Goldie the eagle evades capture again Includes photo of John Timpson playing bird pipe.
- London Zoo: Famous animals