Dubliners and people in Ireland’s Leinster region have been warned to watch out for a massive killer owl which is capable of eating deer and other mammals.
The female Eurasian eagle owl, which has a wingspan of up to 6ft 5 inches, escaped from its home in Newbridge, Co Kildare after she was spooked by a cat and was last seen heading towards the M7 motorway.
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They are known to be highly dangerous and can cause serious damage to small animals and children.
The Eurasian eagle owl has a wingspan of up to 6ft 5 inches. Image: Getty
“Tank” - better known as “Owlington” - went missing last Friday night and her owner Darren Jackson is eager to track her down and has been warning the public of the danger she poses.
He has warned people to keep children and small animals away from the owl as she could cause major injury to them or herself.
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"If she is in a treetop during the day, she will be mobbed by crows. This means they will try and chase her out of the area,” reports the Irish Examiner.
"If she is in a residential area, she is likely to try and rest under a bush if 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.
An up-close shot of the Eurasian eagle owl. Image: Getty
"She has her jesses [a thin leather strap] and bell on and given her size she will be unmistakable."
Jackson has asked members of the public to notify the National Parks & Wildlife Service, local vets or local Gardaí if they have seen the owl.
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Eagle owls are the largest in the owl species and weigh nine times as much as the common barn owl despite only weighing just under 3kg.
How do you feel about this animal escaping and its threat to the public?
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