From Russia, With Love

A few years back, an owl escaped from my local zoo after a tree dropped on its enclosure.  The bird was a fully-flighted, non-native species, and it quickly took to the sky.  For a month it made surprise appearances in the trees around the zoo, usually not venturing more than a block or two away.  After several weeks, keepers spotted it dozing in a low, reachable spot, and were able to grab it.  It had been a stressful week for them, trying to snare the elusive owl under moderate media scrutiny.

I doubt any of them would be happy to trade places with the National Aviary right now.

Earlier this week, "Koda" (sometimes "Kodiak"  or "Kody") the Steller's sea eagle escaped from his enclosure at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.  Keepers and trainers have been working hard trying to secure the bird, but sightings have been infrequent (if my memories of the owl escape I mentioned are correct, probably complicated by lots of false sightings) and they haven't had a chance to get close yet.  Hopefully he can be coaxed back soon and restored to his habitat.

One advantage that the National Aviary has, at least, is that Steller's sea eagles are very cold hardy birds, so the onset of fall and cooler temperatures won't risk his health in the way that it might if he were, say, a harpy eagle from the tropics.  Eagles are opportunistic scavengers as well as hunters, so hopefully he's finding something to eat while he's on the lam, though he might be so stressed and confused that he doesn't want to.  No matter what, he'll be better off as soon as the Aviary gets him back.  

It's been a stressful week for them, I'm sure, but if any of them are reading, just remember that owl I mentioned in the beginning.  She was loose for a month.  You still have plenty of chances.  Good luck.