Willow the barn owl still missing from wildlife center

Published 1:00 pm Monday, May 8, 2023

Willow the barn owl is still missing since she broke away from her handler more than a week ago at Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center near Grants Pass, but the search for her continues.

“We’re still hopeful,” Ben Maki, spokesman for the facility, said Monday morning.

The 1-year-old bird, which is comfortable around humans, was used for educational purposes at the center, which is popular with school groups, locals and tourists. She probably is still wearing leather straps wrapped around her ankles. Attached to the straps are cords about 8 inches long.

“She’s one of our primary educational birds,” Maki said. “She is one that has caught the attention and interest of our guests.”

Willow, who was hatched in captivity, has a wingspan about 3 feet across. She was trained to fly from the gloved hand of her handler onto the gloved hand of another handler.

She broke away from her handler April 30 during a routine walk through the park when a snap connecting the handler’s glove with the cords broke. After she broke free, she flew from perch to perch without becoming entangled. The cords dangling from each ankle connect at their outer ends, forming a hanging loop.

The public has called in with possible sightings of Willow, but she isn’t the only owl out there. There’s a few other barn owls in the area, too.

Staff members have been out in the woods looking for her, neighbors are on the lookout, and flyers have been posted in the community. Food has been set out for her, along with her favorite toys — stuffed animals with squeakers inside and rabbit fur.

It’s unknown whether Willow would hunt for her own food.

“We’re hoping her hunting instincts kick in,” Maki said.