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Tampa Bay wildlife rescuers find missing owl following Hurricane Debby

The owl was found almost two weeks after he escaped his enclosure during the storm.

BRANDON, Fla. — A great horned owl that escaped its enclosure during Hurricane Debby was found safe almost two weeks after he disappeared. 

The animal, named Charlie, was found near a home in Brandon after a person spotted him in her backyard. The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay said they were able to pick him up right away. 

"He had fluids and it's gonna take him a little while to recover from his Ordeal [sic]. He is very thin. He has eaten a little bit and very glad to be home," a Facebook post said.

Found less than a mile away from the house in Watkins Glenn a homeowner saw him in the backyard this morning shared with her friend and she notified us. We were able to walk right up and pick him up. He is now back home. A lot thinner, but looks OK #WeFoundCharlie #RaptorOfTampaBay#

Posted by Raptor Center of Tampa Bay on Monday, August 19, 2024

Staff was worried about the 4-year-old owl because he is blind in one eye, doesn't know how to hunt, doesn't fly well and would not survive in the wild, according to a Facebook post. The center has had Charlie since he was 6-weeks-old. 

In a previous post, staff said Charlie was probably very hungry and getting weaker as the days went on.

President of the center Nancy Murrah shared a picture of him on the way home and said he even fell asleep on her chest during the drive. 

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