"She's massive - like a small glider": Huge killer eagle on the loose in Yorkshire

Police have warned people to keep a close eye on pets when they are
outdoors in case the bird of prey decides to swoop
Concerns: Police warned families to keep their pets indoors tonight
because giant sea eagle Nikita, pictured, is on the loose
A huge eagle, which has the strength to carry off and kill small dogs,
is on the loose - in Yorkshire.

Nikita, which has an 8ft wingspan, has gone AWOL in the YDales.

Police have warned people to keep a close eye on pets when they are
outdoors in case the bird of prey decides to swoop.

Nikita, a Steller's sea eagle, went missing when it took to the air
for an exercise session in blustery conditions.

Its trainer thinks it may have been blown off course.

Last night North Yorks police said on Twitter the predator is "not
dangerous to people but don't try picking it up", adding: "Please take
care when letting small animals out into the garden."

The 10-year-old eagle has not been spotted since it took flight on
Saturday morning above her home in Brackenbottom, North Yorks.

Nikita's trainer Chris O'Donnell said: "She's massive - like a small glider."

He added: "It was incredibly windy. She went a bit further than normal
and possibly became disorientated because of the lay of the land. They
are like pigeons - they have a homing instinct - but this time Nikita
didn't come back."

The majestic predators, which are native to east Russia, are able to
pick up dogs and young seals.

Their normal diet in captivity includes frozen pigeons, squirrels and rabbits.

Chris, of Hawk Experience Ltd, said the eagle, which has often
entertained the crowds at Warwick Castle, posed no danger to people or
animals.

He added: "She has not learnt how to hunt by chasing things around the
countryside."
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