MIAMI — A burrowing owl decided to take a vacation on a cruise liner, managing to evade capture for nearly two weeks.
According to WPLG-TV, the bird of prey, listed as an endangered species in Florida, stowed away on the Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas.
“Caribbean Owliday,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“Passengers aboard the world’s second-largest cruise ship were able to see the diminutive owl perched on exit signs, peeking through planters, and resting along railings,” the agency wrote.
When the cruise vessel docked in Miami, biologist Ricardo Zambrano was brought on board after receiving a call from Wildlife Rescue of Dade County, according to WPLG. The FWC stated that Zambrano had a one-hour window of opportunity to capture the owl before passengers disembarked and new passengers were scheduled to go on board in anticipation of a one-week cruise to Mexico.
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Zambrano used mist nets around the owl’s favorite perch near the ship’s exit signs. After two failed attempts, Zambrano caught the owl when it was perched on the balcony of a 10th-story cabin, the FWC said.
While crew members distracted the owl, Zambrano sneaked up and safely netted the bird.
Wildlife officials said the owl displayed good sea legs and appeared to be in good health after two weeks at sea, but the bird was still taken to the South Florida Wildlife Center as a precautionary measure.