BRANDON, Florida. – The Tampa Bay Raptor Center is searching for Charlie, a Great Horned Owl species that has been missing since August 5, when Tropical Storm Debby passed through Tampa Bay.
Charlie, a four-year-old great horned owl, escaped from his enclosure during the storm. Now rescuers are concerned about his safety and ability to survive in the wild.
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According to the center, Charlie has been at Tampa Bay’s Raptor Center since he was six weeks old. He is blind in one eye and does not know how to hunt.
Charlie (Photo courtesy: Raptor Center of Tampa Bay)
The center reported that he was wearing falconry gear (ankle bracelets and shackles) and was spotted in the Providence Lakes neighborhood of Brandon on Tuesday morning.
After the sighting, people searched for Charlie from almost sunrise until after midnight on Tuesday, but did not see him again. They reported that Charlie was probably weakening and lying on the ground.
Charlie (Photo courtesy: Raptor Center of Tampa Bay)
They used thermal imaging Tuesday night but found four barred owls and no great horned owls. They ask that if you see Charlie, please call Nancy at 813-205-1851 or Billy at 405-226-1583.
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