Once again, I’ve vanished!
The well-loved barn owl, known for her adventurous spirit, has mysteriously escaped from the Long Island Nature Center.
Nebula, a 6-year-old European barn owl, managed to fly away from her home at Sweet Briar Nature Center in Smithtown over the weekend.
It seems that the equipment meant to restrain her might have failed, allowing the owl, who has a wingspan of 35 inches and weighs about a pound, to break free.
Isabel Fernandez, the wildlife conservation coordinator at Sweet Briar, explained that domesticated owls depend on humans for their care. Still, there’s a chance she could adjust to life outside.
“She’s probably finding food by herself now, and she might be getting the hang of the local wildlife, but we can’t say for certain,” Fernandez noted. “We need everyone to stay alert so we can help bring her home safely.”
As days go by, concerns are mounting about Nebula’s welfare. If a barn owl goes without food or water for three days, they risk dehydration and potentially dire health consequences.
Fernandez shared that when Nebula escaped three years ago, she was still attached to her leash, which made her flight more cumbersome and easier to recapture.
This time, however, the situation is more complicated for the nature center, as she flew away unrestrained.
Unlike barred owls, barn owls produce a distinctive “screeching” sound, which makes locating them a bit harder.
While there’s some guidance available from nonprofit nature centers regarding owl calls, Fernandez mentioned that they haven’t had any confirmed sightings of Nebula yet.
It’s important to remember that Nebula is not aggressive and is generally comfortable around people. She might even approach people searching for food.
Those who spot Nebula should avoid trying to capture her. Instead, they should monitor her closely and reach out to Sweetbriar at (631) 979-6344.
