Interesting report in today’s news...
The northern Dutch town of Purmerend has advised residents to arm themselves with an umbrella when going out at night, after
a mysterious spate of bloody rogue owl attacks.
Over the last three weeks a European eagle owl, one of the largest owl species, has silently swooped on dozens of residents of
the usually peaceful town, with many victims requiring hospital treatment.
The latest aerial assault saw two members of a local athletics club attacked, with one runner requiring stitches for six head
wounds caused by the nocturnal bird of prey's talons.
The club cancelled all training until further notice.
Residents and workers at Prinsenstichting home for the handicapped were left terrified following at least 15 attacks, spokeswoman
Liselotte de Bruijn said.
"During the day there's no problem, but at night we now only venture outside armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything
really, to protect ourselves," Ms De Bruijn said.
"The problem is that you don't hear the owl before it strikes. Its claws are razor-sharp.
"We hope the city will soon catch this rogue bird."
Purmerend city council said it was trying to find a solution.
"We want to catch the owl as our city's residents are in danger," it said on its website, noting however that the European eagle
owl is a protected species that requires special permission to be trapped.
"These procedures can still take some time. Meanwhile, we are advising people to stay away from the owl."
Bird's behaviour unusual, owl foundation says
Gejo Wassink of the Netherlands' OWN owl foundation said the bird's behaviour was unusual.
"Either the owl was reared in captivity and released into the wild and now associates humans with food — meaning it's not really
'attacking' people," he said.
"Or it may have heightened hormone levels as the breeding season starts, which influences its behaviour and makes it defend its
territory."
Mr Wassink said the bird "appears to be a female", and pointed to the wider problem of people hand-rearing owls and then releasing
them into the wild when they become too big to handle, potentially leading to an increase in attacks.
The European eagle owl has a wingspan of up to 1.8 metres and can weigh up to three kilograms.
Chris Hastir
Chris Hastir | Administration Officer
Phone 02 62071114 | Fax 02 62071128 | Email :
m("act.gov.au","chris.hastir");">
Children's Policy and Regulation Unit
| Education & Training |
ACT Government
51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling ACT 2611 | GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601
www.act.gov.au
