We need your help to find Adelaide Zoo’s missing Sooty Owl Oscar!
Oscar went missing on Monday during his routine free flight show. Immediately afterwards he was hanging around in trees in the zoo and continued to do so until nightfall. Two of Adelaide Zoo’s keepers stayed in the area with him until late. As the sun went down, he stirred and went for a fly trying to get down to one of his carers, instead landing in a group of trees near the Nocturnal House.
Arriving from Cairns Tropical Zoo last year, Oscar is not very familiar with the area so the Zoo Nature Theatre team have been conducting searches from dawn to dusk to find their beautiful nocturnal friend. The Zoo’s overnight security team are also keeping their eyes peeled, as are the team from the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Oscar’s keepers ask that you please keep an eye out for a beautiful grey owl with enormous dark eyes who looks like he could have been cast in the movie ‘Dark Crystal’. Oscar is a ten-year-old owl who is an experienced free flight bird. During the day, he will be roosting high in a tree underneath the canopy. It would be unusual for him to move around throughout the day; however other local birds might spot him and carry on about it, so please look out for strange behaviour as well.
His keepers are leaving his accommodation open should he decide he’s had enough of an excursion and wants to return home for some creature comforts. If you spot Oscar, please call us the Adelaide Zoo 8267 3255 during business hours or leave a comment on their Facebook post (below) after hours. Please share their Facebook post so we can reach as many people as possible to make sure Oscar is safe.
UPDATE: One commenter spotted Oscar overnight near the The University of Adelaide North Engineering Building and supplied a photo. Oscar’s carer Chad is on site as we speak. Can everyone at Adelaide Uni please keep an eye out today? He was last seen on an air conditioner unit, which looks similar to the hatch to his aviary so we think he’s probably disoriented. Thanks again! 
💚
More News
