MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A burrowing owl inadvertently embarked on a two-week vacation by boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas spotted the owl perched on exit signs and resting along railings.
FWC officials had to work quickly as they only had an hour before the cruise set sail for a week-long trip to Mexico. With some assistance from the ship’s crew, FWC officials placed mist nets around the owl’s perch on exit signs near a door.
The owl must’ve enjoyed the margaritas because it didn’t make it easy for workers to catch it.
The team failed to capture the owl twice, and it made its way to the balcony of a 10th-floor cabin.
However, the fun at sea had to come to an end. Crews were able to safely net the owl from the railing and disembark it from the ship.
According to FWC, the bird was transported to South Florida Wildlife Center as a precaution. FWC even made a scrapbook commemorating the owl’s trip.
For more information on burrowing owls, you can visit the FWC website here.
Tyler Watkins
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