An owl that is capable of eating a deer and other small mammals has gone missing in Kildare.
The Eurasian eagle owl, which is called Tank but nicknamed 'Owlington', escaped from its home in the Curragh Grange after being startled by a cat.
The owner of the female bird, which has a wingspan of 6 ft 5 in, has warned the public to keep young children and small animals away from it if seen as it may cause serious injury.
Owner Darren Jackson, who has the owl since it was ten days old, said it was last seen heading towards the M7 motorway.
He said: “She has her jesses [a thin leather strap] and bell on and given her size she will be unmistakable.
“She may pose a threat to people or children if someone went to pick her up. Each of her claws would have a tonne per point. She has four claws, so that’s four tonnes of pressure.
“That could do some serious damage to an adult’s hand or to the arm of a child.”
He added: “If she is in a tree top during the day, she will be mobbed by crows. This means they will try and chase her out of the area.
“If she is in a residential area, she is likely to try and rest under a bush she is tired or stressed but in that instance I would recommend people not to pick her up or try to catch her as there is a potential for them to be hurt by her talons if they don't know what they are doing.”
Anyone who may come across the bird is asked to contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service, their local vet or gardai.
