‘When we both were free’: Albuquerque zoo was dead silent, until a native family walks up to the American Eagle exhibit

TikToker Deadly Drew recently took his family to the Albuquerque Zoo and captured an interaction that resonated with over 10 million viewers. Many saw it as the connection between the Native American populace and native animals. As Drew noted in his caption, “it was dead silent until we came up to it!” The ‘it’ in question was a beautiful American Eagle. 

In the video, Drew follows his daughter toward the enclosure, eventually centering his camera on the eagle. At first, the bird just stares at him for a few moments. Then, the eagle swoops down to the fence. From that point on, the bird begins to vocalize and chatter, pacing back and forth right behind the barrier. 

When Drew asks, “What’s wrong, Kai, you want out of there?” the eagle responds with emphatic chirps, seemingly engaging in a conversation or complaint. The on-screen text for the TikTok post sums up the feeling of the encounter perfectly, stating, “The eagle had A LOT to say when a Native family came to say hi.” 

There was cultural relevance in the interaction

The post sparked a wave of commentary from people who felt there was a deep, historical, and spiritual connections between Native Americans and the natural world. One user wrote, “He’s like remember when we both were free,” while another commented, “imagine him thinking, why cant they understand me anymore.” Another TikToker noted, “the immediate recognition is beautiful. His soul knows their soul.”

Observations of a connection tap into the larger context of how birds are viewed in various traditions. According to The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, birds are often seen as winged messengers that hold a special place in spirituality and ceremony for Native American tribes. For instance, the Comanche community believes that Golden Eagles are the only animals capable of flying high enough to see the face of God, serving as intermediaries for prayers. 

Jo Doumbia, the Diversity and Inclusion Chair for the organization, notes that legal frameworks like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act include specific exceptions for Native American cultural and religious activities. These laws exist to strike a balance between the protection of these species and the preservation of a vital cultural heritage.

TikTok felt the connection

The comments on the video seemed to reflect this profound level of respect and spiritual acknowledgement. One viewer shared, “Eagles know who are the right people to trust.” Another remarked, “natives and animals connect on such an amazing level.” Others focused on the land itself, with one commenter writing, “Don’t need any more proof this is native land,” and another adding, “Proof [that] they are spiritually connected to this land!”

Some of the reactions even leaned into the idea that the bird was trying to communicate something specific. One user joked, “He’s like ‘where have you been!?? I have some SHIT to tell you’,” while another suggested, “He said he wants to go home. He’s homesick.” 

TikTok is filled with animal videos. They usually capture cuteness or chaos. For instance, recently, a woman took to the platform to share that an adorable baby weasel was her new housemate. Over in Tasmania, Neil the seal has returned to wreak more chaos and destruction and cause officials worry over tourist interactions.

So, it is fascinating to see how a simple trip to the zoo can turn into a viral moment that highlights deep-seated cultural bonds instead. Whether you interpret the eagle’s behavior as a simple reaction to new visitors or something more profound, the sheer number of people who felt moved by the video proves that these themes of connection and heritage still carry immense weight. 

As one user put it, “He’s saying something important for sure.”