Flyaway eagle owl recaptured at Tacoma zoo

Officials at a Tacoma zoo said a trained Eurasian eagle owl that became spooked and flew off into a nearby park has been spotted and captured.

A Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium spokeswoman said Forrest the owl was hungry but safe after his capture Friday afternoon in Point Defiance Park, the Tacoma News Tribune reported. The owl is trained to fly during performances of the zoo’s outdoor theater. Staffers were rehearsing a new show when Forrest flew off Wednesday afternoon. They think he was startled by changes made to the stage. He’s trained to fly during performances and then return.

Spokeswoman Kris Sherman said searchers looked in an area of the park where “hooting” had been heard Thursday.

Winds gusted as high as 70 mph in the park Thursday night, knocking down large trees.