Golden eagle snatches deer in Russia

A camera trap used to monitor Siberian tigers on the Lazovsky State Nature Reserve in southern Russia captured an unexpected scene -- a golden eagle swooping down to snatch up a sika deer.

The amazing image shows the first documented case of such an attack, published in the Journal of Raptor Research.

Linda Kerley from the Zoological Society of London found the photos during a routine equipment check.

"It's the first time I've seen anything like it," Kerley said. "It's rare for golden eagles to snatch up deer."

Golden eagles, like other birds of prey, typically hunt other birds or smaller mammals, though they can occasionally go after larger prey including coyotes.

In one case, a golden eagle was observed snatching up a brown bear cub as it trailed behind its mother.