"Goldie was
a male Golden Eagle who lived at London
Zoo in England 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 Ethiopian 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 on 15 December 1965, and
was recaptured 19 December 1965 at 6:15a.m.
He was sent to The Falconry Centre, Newent, Glos. on
8 March 1985, and died on or about 23 March 1986."
- Wikipedia
I followed this story as a Teen.
My Dad wrote this at the time it happened.
