The Thiersee Jochgeier

Raven Ferdinand from the Kufsteinerland narrates: CAW! Behind many legends lie true events that have been passed down and altered over time. The feared "Jochgeier" were likely bearded vultures, which have become rare in the Alps. They have a wingspan of 280 cm and can carry large prey items. Long ago, on the edge of a meadow in Breitenau, stood a humble hut where a poor laborer's family lived with many children. Everyone had to pitch in diligently just to have a warm meal on the table once a day. One hot summer day, the parents went off with the older children to help the Breitenau farmers with the hay work. Only the two youngest, a toddler and five-year-old Hansl, were to stay home. "You stack the firewood there and keep an eye on the little one," the mother admonished, "we'll be back by nightfall. Always stay close to the house, or else the Pendling witch or the Jochgeier will get you!" "Pffff – they don't even exist!" scoffed Hansl, "during the day, we're supposed to fear the witch and the Jochgeier, and at night, the Habergoaß and the Gatterl ghost. If it were up to you, we'd never leave the house!" "Believe it or not," said the mother sternly, "but be careful!" Hansl promised to be careful. He tied a rope around his little brother's waist so he couldn't crawl too far away, and then began to sigh as he stacked the woodpile. Suddenly, it seemed to him as if a cloud had darkened the sun, and the next moment, he heard his little brother scream pitifully. Hansl turned around in alarm and saw the child in the clutches of a huge bird, flapping its wings violently because it couldn't carry its prey due to the rope. "Just wait, you brute!" shouted Hansl in anger, "you won't get my brother!" He ran over and struck the Jochgeier with all his might on the head with the log he was holding, causing the bird to drop the child into the grass and fly away squawking loudly. Hansl picked up the crying child, untied him, and carried him trembling with fear into the house. The little brother had only suffered a few scratches, but Hansl was scared for life: The people of Thiersee would long tell of Jochgeier-Hansl, who constantly stumbled over his own feet outdoors because he always kept his eyes on the sky. Do you know how tall you are approximately? If you measure 140 cm, your outstretched arms also measure 140 cm. How many children and adults need to stand next to each other to reach the wingspan of the Jochgeier? Give it a try!... CAW!