Shropshire Star

Have you seen Boris? Shrewsbury hunt for escaped owl

A search has been launched to track down Boris – after the European eagle owl gave his keepers the slip while they cleaned his aviary in Shrewsbury.

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The four-year-old bird, who stands 2ft high and has a five-foot wing span, was last seen on Wednesday when he flew from his cage at the Battlefield Falconry Centre in Shrewsbury.

There have been a number of false sightings of the bird from well-meaning members of the public but now Mark Southall, owner of the falconry centre, which is based at Battlefield 1403, is desperate to get him back.

"We have had him since he was three months old and he has been hand-reared. He is not used to hunting so we need to get him back as soon as we can," he said.

"He is very tame and we use him for shows as well as for our bird handling events. He has two ear tufts, which are not always up, as they are more of an emotive indicator. But he is a big bird so people should be able to spot him.

"However, we ask that anyone who does see him doesn't approach him as this could spook him. We just want them to phone us and then we will come along and recapture him."

Anyone who does spot Boris should call Mark on 07866 926184.

The European eagle owl is one of the largest species of owl. It has distinctive ear tufts, with upper parts that are mottled with darker blackish colouring and tawny and the wings and tail are barred. The underparts are a variably hued buff, streaked with darker colour. The facial disc is poorly developed and the orange eyes are distinctive.

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