A routine flight training session at the Minnesota Zoo turned tragic when a Eurasian eagle owl escaped its handler and landed in a tiger enclosure, where it was killed by one of the tigers, according to a U.S. Agriculture Department inspection report and zoo officials. The incident occurred on April 29 during a bird show training session at the zoo in Apple Valley, a suburb of the Twin Cities. The owl, which was in the early stages of its training, failed to return to its handler and instead flew into an outdoor enclosure housing tigers. The tiger in the enclosure preyed upon the owl before zoo staff could intervene, the inspection report stated.
Zoo responds to inspection findings
Zoo spokesperson Zach Nugent confirmed the incident, telling NBC News on Wednesday, “The bird flew into the Zoo’s Tiger Lair habitat. Before staff could intervene, the tiger within that habitat preyed upon the owl.” The U.S. Agriculture Department’s inspection report, dated July 1, emphasized that animal handling during training sessions “should be done in a manner that does not cause trauma or physical harm to the animals.”
The report required the zoo to develop and maintain a training program for free-flight birds that ensures all animals are handled in a way that prevents trauma or physical harm, with a compliance deadline set for July 5. Nugent stated that the zoo has complied with the report’s recommendations. “Animal welfare is a top priority in all facets of Zoo operations,” he said. “This was a tragic incident, and the Zoo has been working closely with its free-flight bird training partners to review our policies and procedures.”
Additional concerns raised in an inspection report
The inspection report also highlighted other issues, including deficiencies in the zoo’s contingency plan for caring for animals sheltering in place during emergencies or disasters. Additionally, concerns were raised about a camel-holding enclosure that was “not in good repair” and an ineffective pest control program in the garage bay where bagged feed and other foodstuffs are stored. The zoo was given deadlines in July to address these matters.
Nugent noted that the Minnesota Zoo has “many years of experience training free-flight birds” and emphasized the individualized nature of the training programs. “We recognize that every animal is an individual and as such, we build programs around their individualized flight skill, experience, and general adaptability for being included in a free-flight program,” he said. He added that the owl involved in the incident was still in the early stages of its training and was acclimating to its new environment.