VISITORS aboard a boat cruise in St Lucia witnessed the moment an African fish eagle was forced to ‘butterfly’ across the estuary to keep hold of its catch.

Heritage Tours & Safaris posted the footage on their Facebook page earlier this week, saying the clients aboard the Shoreline Hippo Cruise vessel were amazed at this magnificent sighting.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Owl eggs rescued in Richards Bay begin hatching process

“At first it looked as if the eagle was injured, only to realise the bird had caught a fish that was too heavy, and then kind of swam butterfly back to shore with its meal firmly in its talons.”

The next post was the video of the fish eagle safely at the side of St Lucia estuary, wings spread, sheltering its catch.

Skipper Reinhardt Heynie said this was only the second time he had experienced such a sighting in all his years skippering on the estuary.

Watch the magnificent footage captured by Shoreline guest, Lennart Stachowitz.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page  and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer

TikTok – @zululand_observer