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Keep a look-out for missing eagle owl

10:10am Friday 12th March 2010 in


SWINDON residents have been asked to keep their eyes peeled after a tame European eagle owl escaped from its Lower Stratton home.

The speckled brown bird, pictured, stands three foot high, and flew away at around 9pm on Sunday.

As it has been bred in captivity, the owl is unlikely to attack humans although its owner, who does not wish to be named, has warned that it may attack animals such as cats and dogs.

The eagle owl is a large, powerful animal with dark orange eyes, long ear tufts and brown plumage. It is commonly kept in captivity and, since the 18th century, the species has regularly escaped or has been released in the UK. At present there are only a few established pairs that successfully breed and these are mainly found in northern England.

The public are warned not to approach the owl if they spot it but to call Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or the RSPCA North Wiltshire branch on 01793 640136 or 0300 1234 999.

Comments(7)

Mr_Big says...
10:31am Fri 12 Mar 10

That beautiful bird should not be kept in a cage. I hope it flys far away from Stratton as possible!

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Olly86 says...
10:35am Fri 12 Mar 10

And with a bit of luck it will take out a few cats on the way.

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The ModFather says...
12:00pm Fri 12 Mar 10

A beautiful owl like this should not be kept in captivity! What sort of barbaric person could inflict such cruelty on such a mystical creature such as the owl. I blame Harry Potter, ever since this film came out, irresponsible people have been buying owls with no idea how to care for them.

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Worz says...
2:23pm Fri 12 Mar 10

Birds of prey can be kept in captivity, but you properly sized aviaries, and plenty of space to fly them every day. I don't know much of Stratton, but I doubt that there's anywhere there that's suitable. Go to the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover to see how it should be done. I hope that this owl isn't so domesticated that he can't survive in the wild.

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Another Pedantic Swindonian says...
5:39pm Fri 12 Mar 10

How barbaric that this is totally legal!

Such beautiful, wild creatures should be allowed to live a natural life, not one that's captive to man!!

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werzel says...
12:19pm Sat 13 Mar 10

My girlfriend said a few days ago about this big owl she saw in the raod with a rat in its mouth. she was going on about it for ages and i just thort she was winging about nothing. but then i saw this and she sais that thats the owl she saw.
Just incase anyone wants to no it was seen on the back road inbetween Finstock and North Leigh on wednesday morning around 07.50am.

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Ankh says...
10:26am Sun 14 Mar 10

Well if I see it I wont be contacting anyone, fly my pretty..fly.

Security...bird-thin
.. Lets hope not, plenty of rats around to feed it i'm sure.

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