Protected owl rescued from cruise ship in Florida

A rare Florida burrowing owl was rescued from "Oasis of the Seas," the world's largest cruise ship, where the raptor was apparently being used as a pet, officials said Monday.

Agents of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discovered the protected bird on the golf course of the huge ocean liner. The agents were able to remove the animal and release the owl in an open field.

"Never in all of my 25 years with the FWC have I seen anything like this, and I have responded to some strange calls," said FWC Lieutenant David Bingham said.
"I am very pleased the owl wasn't injured and that we could get it back to a normal habitat."

Officials said the burrowing owl is a species of special concern, whose burrows and eggs are protected by state law. They also are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

"Oasis of the Seas," is operated by Royal Caribbean and its home port is in Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami.

It is currently the world's largest cruise ship. It rises some 65 meters (200 feet) above from the waterline, is more than three football fields long and can carry up to 6,360 passengers.

Some of its 16 decks are planted with real trees that provide shade for travelers.

Wildlife officials say burrowing owls need to be in open, treeless areas where they can dig their burrow. They noted that the artificial turf on the ship's golf course resembles the fields they use for nesting but are not suitable.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.