A golden eagle, one of Israel’s rarest and most majestic birds of prey, was recently captured on camera devouring a hare. This extraordinary moment was documented by a Nature and Parks Authority ranger during a routine patrol in the Arava region.
“While conducting a routine patrol, I spotted an animal in the distance that I couldn’t immediately identify. As I cautiously approached, I was amazed to see through my camera lens a golden eagle feasting on a hare," Moshe Dayan, a regional ranger in the Central Arava, described. "Witnessing and documenting such a rare event is a true privilege. The golden eagle is a critically endangered species that is rarely seen in Israel.”
The golden eagle that was spotted eating a hare
(Video: Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
According to the Nature and Parks Authority, the golden eagle is the largest bird of prey that nests in Israel. Its diet primarily consists of medium and small mammals such as rock hyraxes, hares, and foxes, but it also preys on lizards and turtles. The eagles often drop turtles from great heights to crack their shells. Golden eagles typically nest in rugged mountainous terrain, cliffs, and canyons. Today, their nesting sites are mostly found in desert and semi-desert areas.
The golden eagle population in Israel is critically endangered. In the late 1980s, there were an estimated 40 breeding pairs. Since then, the population has dwindled dramatically, with only nine pairs remaining today – up slightly from a historic low of six pairs in 2018.
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The decline is attributed to several factors, including electrocution from power lines, nest theft, disturbances caused by hikers, and illegal hunting during young eagles' wanderings in neighboring countries.
To combat these threats, the Nature and Parks Authority, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, and the Israel Electric Corporation have partnered on the Wings Over Israel project. The initiative includes close monitoring of nesting sites, guarding nests vulnerable to theft or disturbances, and insulating high-voltage poles in areas where electrocutions have been documented.