Vandals strike at owl sanctuary

A number of birds have escaped from a sanctuary in Suffolk after the locks on the aviaries were cut.

Staff at the Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns said five birds were in danger and one in particular could die if it is not recaptured quickly.

Andy Hulme, from the sanctuary, said staff arrived to find a snowy owl on the lawn and an eagle and Harris hawk fighting on the flying ground.

Five birds were recaptured but five are still missing.

One of them, a burrowing owl, is in danger of dying if it is not recaptured quickly.

Mr Hulme said: "We came in this morning and the snowy owl was on the lawn.

"We went to check the aviaries and some people have been in, they have thrown the locks on the floor, opened the doors to the aviary and let the birds out.

"They are captive bred - most of them aren't native species and the probability is they might not catch anything to eat and the poor things starve to death."