It is going to take a lot more than just being dive bombed by a bald eagle to change Chelsea Cheeba鈥檚 mind about the creatures.

鈥淭he one person who loves eagles the most is attacked by one, but hey, what can I say? Love hurts,鈥� 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.

鈥淚 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,鈥� Cheeba said. 鈥淭hen I felt the back of my head with my left hand. I looked at my hand and it was covered in blood.鈥�

Cheeba was helped out by a bystander, who got Cheeba into the bystander鈥檚 car and took her to a store for first aid supplies. A member of Cheeba鈥檚 family then came to take her to the hospital.

鈥淚 got checked out and I got a tetanus shot,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was scary when it first happened, then afterwards when my mom was taking me to the hospital we just started laughing about it.鈥�

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 鈥渁lways watching.鈥�

鈥淲hen I walk by an eagle tree heading to work I鈥檓 thinking 鈥榙on鈥檛 you attack me.鈥欌��

Bald eagles can grow to nearly a metre in height and can weigh over six kilograms.

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 look that big when they鈥檙e in the sky flying, but when you get real close to them, oh yeah,鈥� Cheeba said. 鈥淚f the eagle really meant business it could have done more damage, that鈥檚 for sure.鈥�

Despite her ordeal, she says her love for the animals hasn鈥檛 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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