Pair of rare owls go missing from National Zoological Park

NEW DELHI: A pair of rare Great Horned owls were reported missing from their enclosure inside the National Zoological Park (NZP) on last Sunday morning. The police at Nizamuddin police station was informed about the incident, said the zoo director, D N Singh. The bird is listed under the schedule I of the Wildlife Act.

"The regular keeper at the birds enclosure was unwell and was on leave on Saturday night and only the assistant keeper was on duty. On Sunday morning I was informed that two owls were 'stolen' from their enclosure," said Singh.

Zoo officials said they were investigating the matter. Said a senior official: "We have found blood stains at the spot and have sent them for tests. It is too early to say whether the disappearance is because of the keeper's negligence who might have left the cage open or if it is the handiwork of an insider. It is also possible that some 'predator' has eaten them up."

The police have yet to register a case. "It is only after a thorough investigation that we would file a case under relevant sections," explained a police official.

Meanwhile, the zoo authorities have set up an internal inquiry to determine the cause for the owls' disappearence.

toireporter@timesgroup.com