Zoo owl is eaten by a tiger after it escapes from handler in Minnesota, officials say

A Eurasian eagle owl was eaten by a tiger at a Minnesota zoo after it flew away from its handler, officials say.

The April 29 incident at the Minnesota Zoo was outlined in a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report filed in July.

Officials said the owl was training for a bird show when it failed to return to the handler. The owl landed in the outdoor tiger enclosure, where it was eaten, according to the inspection report.

Zoo officials told Valley News Live the owl had recently began its training. The owl’s age is unclear.

“Animal welfare is a top priority in all facets of zoo operations,” zoo spokesperson Zach Nugent told Valley News Live. “This was a tragic incident and the zoo has been working closely with its free-flight bird training partners to review our policies and procedures.”

The inspectors urged the zoo to develop a training routine that would “prevent trauma or physical harm” to the animals.

The owl was the second of its kind to die after flying away during a training session.

In October 2021, a Eurasian eagle owl named Gladys went missing in the 485-acre zoo before being found injured along a nearby road two weeks later, the zoo said. Gladys had died by the time veterinarians arrived.

The zoo has one other Eurasian eagle owl, according to the Star Tribune. The owls are not permanent residents at the zoo, as they are brought in for the outdoor bird show in the summer.