AN OWL who disappeared from a sanctuary after he was freed by suspected rights activists is now safely back at home.

John Howard

AN OWL who disappeared from a sanctuary after he was freed by suspected rights activists is now safely back at home.

Isis, a rare pharaoh eagle owl, was among 10 birds which were released into the wild when vandals struck at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, at Stonham Barns, near Stowmarket, overnight on September 4.

The other nine birds who flew free had already been found, leaving just the “Stonham One” on the loose for several days.

But yesterday afternoon he was spotted on a bungalow bird table at nearby Pettaugh, and later on a nearby summerhouse, sparking a call to the sanctuary.

Falconer Matt Lott was dispatched with a juicy rat on a long line - so Isis could not just grab the morsel and fly away.

Mr Lott, a falconer for four years, tempted the escapee with the food and managed to get close enough to capture him, wrapping the bedraggled and hungry bird in a blanket to take him home.

He said: “He was fine, very hungry and a bit bedraggled. He is now drying off and enjoying his dinner.”