A Four-year-old owl has been stolen from an aviary in Tollesbury.

The bird thieves took the £150 african spotted eagle owl from a cage in Mell Road.

It was described as 18ins tall, mid-brown with dark brown flecks and had no foot ring for identification.

It shared the aviary with a harris hawk, which was left untouched by the thieves. Maldon police crime reduction officer Ray Stannard said: "That would be a very difficult bird to get hold of. The owner said it once put his talon through his hand."

The missing bird is said to hiss and tap its beak when agitated. Anyone with information should call Maldon police on 01621 852255.

Published Tuesday May 25, 2004

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