Owl escapes from Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma
Apr 17, 2014, 3:26 PM | Updated: 3:59 pm
Forrest is an Eurasian eagle owl described as having a five foot wingspan. He stands about 2 feet tall and has bright, orange-colored eyes. (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)
(Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)
Fly, Forrest, Fly – an eagle owl has escaped from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.
It’s not clear if Forrest, the Eurasian eagle owl, has been plotting an escape or if he was startled by recent changes to a stage used in his Wild Wonders Outdoor show (which is the theory).
The zoo says Forrest is allowed to fly around during his performance, but this time, during a rehearsal Wednesday, he didn’t return from his practice flight.
Forrest was spotted on zoo grounds several times Wednesday before zoo staff lost sight of him later in the day. They haven’t been able to pick up his telemetry, which sends a radio signal for tracking.
“Forrest likely is sitting high up in a tree and may be surrounded by a mob of crows unhappy about the owl’s presence in their territory,” staff biologist Sara Mattison said.
The zoo said 9-year-old Forrest is comfortable around people and may even hoot if he sees someone. He has lived at Point Defiance since he was only a few months old.
If you spot Forrest, please call the zoo at 253-591-5337.
Forrest has a five foot wingspan. He stands about 2 feet tall and has bright, orange-colored eyes. He’s wearing red jesses, which look like red cords dangling from his legs, and telemetry, which looks like a black wire dangling from a leg.
