Nature knows? Canadian goose - Bald Eagle 20-minute fight seen as symbol of strained US-Canada ties

A Bald Eagle- the bird deemed the national symbol of the US and appears on many national emblems- engaged in a fierce battle with the Canadian goose in Burlington, Ontario. The 20-minute encounter in which eventually the goose fended off the attack from the eagle, was captured by a Canadian photographer. Now, amid strained relations between US and Canada over President Donald Trump's tariff war, this scene from nature is being seen as very symbolical. 

The fight was recently captured by Mervyn Sequeira, an Ontario photographer. While speaking to CBC Hamilton, he said he was out with his family on a recent morning hike at the LaSalle Marina when the bald eagle and the goose were spotted. 

"We were there, and we saw this bald eagle coming in and going in to attack a Canada goose that was on the ice," Sequeira said, as quoted by the news site. 

Also read: Mohammad Sharifullah, key suspect in 2021 Kabul airport bombing, in US custody. Who is he?

The 74-year-old retired airline captain arrived in Canada from Goa, India, 30 years ago and ever since, he has been photographing Canadian wildlife. 

He further told the outlet that he saw a bald eagle making "several attempts" to attack the goose. 

"When we thought that it was really over for the goose, strangely, the bald eagle just gave up and left," said Sequeira. 

"The goose was spared that day," he added. 

Also read: 'Democrats should lose Midterms': Trump slams opposition for 'disrespect' during joint address, demands accountability

Sequeira, who is from Oakville, Ontario, said the iconic eagle-goose battle moment was captured on February 23. 

Sequeira said he found the encounter "very symbolic".

"I only posted [the pictures to social media] in terms of what happened, not putting a political spin on it. However, there were lots of people who looked at it in the political context," he said, noting that he doesn't like getting into politics. 

 Also read: US holds direct talks with Hamas over hostage release amid Trump's 'you are dead' warning

Sequeira shared his perspective, stating, "That is how nature works."

"But we're living in a slightly polarised world just now, so some people looked at it differently," he added. 

Also read: Gene Hackman's death case: Investigators rule out gas leakage as cause of death

Trump and Trudeau on tariff 

Canada's moves to stop fentanyl trafficking are "not good enough," Donald Trump said he told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a "somewhat friendly" call Wednesday to discuss tariffs the United States has slapped on its northern neighbour.  

Trudeau has repeatedly said that less than one per cent of the fentanyl and undocumented migrants that enter the United States come through the Canadian border, although Trump has dismissed the figure. 

(With inputs from agencies)