Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Seeks Public's Help in Locating Eagle Owl

Forrest believed to be somewhere in Point Defiance Park

TACOMA, Wash. – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is asking for help from the public in locating Forrest, the zoo’s Eurasian eagle owl, which flew into Point Defiance Park during a training session on Wednesday afternoon.

Individuals who spot him are asked to call the zoo at 253-591-5337 or email tresa.edmonds@pdza.org.

Members of the zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater staff were rehearsing a new show when Forrest flew away. They believe he was startled by some changes recently made to their stage in preparation the show.

He is trained to fly during performances of the Wild Wonders show and then return and does so routinely. On Wednesday, he didn’t return from his practice flight.

A team of staff biologists spotted the owl several times Wednesday afternoon but lost sight of him late in the day. They have since been unable to pick up his telemetry, which sends a radio signal to help track him.

“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. He is comfortable around people and may even hoot if he sees someone.

He is nearly 9 years old and has lived at the zoo since he was just a few months old. Forrest has a wingspan of about 5 feet, stands about 2 feet tall and has bright, orange-colored eyes.

He is wearing red jesses, which look like red cords dangling from his legs, and telemetry, which looks like a black wire dangling from a leg.