Environmental inspectors in Moscow have rescued a rare Eurasian scops owl from a local restaurant after residents spotted the bird kept inside a cage.
The Department of Environmental Management and Protection of Moscow announced the rescue on its Telegram channel, confirming that the bird was seized from the establishment and transferred to the city's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
An inspector dispatched to the venue established that the restaurant owner lacked the necessary permits and legal documentation required to keep the owl. Officials confirmed that an administrative offense case has been launched against the owner.
Protected species status
The Eurasian scops owl is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES. Under these international agreements and Russian environmental regulations, taking protected wild birds from their natural habitat and maintaining them in captivity without official permit documents is strictly prohibited.
The Eurasian scops owl is a small nocturnal bird of prey known for its mottled grey-brown camouflage plumage and insectivorous diet. Native to woodland regions across southern Europe and central Asia, the species relies on camouflage to blend into tree bark. Because wild owls face threats from illegal trade and commercial exploitation, environmental authorities monitor public and commercial venues that display exotic animals.
Wildlife protection in Moscow
Moscow's Department of Environmental Management and Protection oversees ecological enforcement and wildlife welfare across the capital. Animals taken into custody by municipal inspectors are sent to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, where veterinary specialists examine rescued fauna, provide medical care, and determine if the animals can be safely returned to their natural habitats.
Following the inspection at the restaurant, municipal authorities urged Moscow residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of illegal wild or exotic animal keeping to environmental agencies.
The rescue follows another recent animal incident in Troitsk, a town situated southwest of central Moscow, where emergency workers successfully rescued a cat that had spent a week trapped high in a tree.
