Terror of the owl in La Residencia: As soon as it gets dark, the bird of prey pounces on the head and leaves blood, 6 injured, appeal to the forest department

A strange and scary incident has come to light these days in the high-rise society ‘La Residency’ located in Greater Noida West (Noida Extension). The owl, which is usually calm and away from humans, has become another name for headache and fear for the residents here. As the evening approaches, an owl suddenly dives from the sky and attacks people who are out for a walk in the society premises. Within the last few days, about 5 to 6 people of the society have been seriously injured and left bleeding due to the attack of this mysterious and aggressive bird. This unexpected danger has forced people of the entire society to confine themselves to their homes in the evening.

According to the residents of the society, this incident usually takes place as the evening approaches and the night turns into darkness. When people return from office or go out for a walk in the Central Park, podium or under the towers after having dinner, suddenly a shadow comes from above cutting the air and directly targets the people’s head or face. Due to the direct attack of the sharp claws and beak of the owl, the skin on the head of many people got torn and blood started flowing. There is no chance to recover from this sudden air attack, due to which people are badly frightened.

Due to this ever-increasing attack, there is an atmosphere of great panic among the families of La Residencia Society. Out of fear, parents have completely stopped sending their children to the society’s play areas and parks in the evening. The elderly, who used to sit every evening for fresh air, are also forced to remain confined to balconies or flats. The situation has become such that even if someone has to go from one tower to another tower or basement for important work, they go out holding umbrellas or carrying sticks in their hands to save their heads.

Bird experts and wildlife experts believe that owls do not naturally attack humans. There can be mainly two major scientific reasons behind them being so aggressive:

• Protection of eggs or chicks: It is possible that there may be an owl’s nest in a dense tree in the society, near the duct of the balcony, near the AC compressor or in a high corner of the construction site, where it may have eggs or young ones. Birds are extremely sensitive about the safety of their offspring and consider any noise as a threat and attack.

• Bright artificial lights and distractions: Due to the bright LEDs and flood lights burning at night in high-rise societies, birds that are active at night become victims of visual illusion and excessive stress, due to which their behavior becomes unbalanced and violent.

A resident victim of the attack said that he was walking normally while talking on the phone. They did not even hear the sound of anything flying, because the structure of the owl’s wings is for silent flight. There was a sharp attack with claws directly on the back of his head. When he touched his head, blood was flowing rapidly from his head. He was hurriedly taken to a nearby clinic where he had to be given anti-rabies, tetanus and dressing. Similarly, 4-5 other people of the society also suffered deep scratches and cuts on their heads and faces.

Initially, the society’s maintenance and security team tried to drive away the owl by lighting torches and checking tree branches, but they failed due to its ability to hide in the dark. After this, the AOA of the society and the local residents have given official information to the Gautam Buddha Nagar Forest Department and requested for immediate help. The residents demand that the expert rescue team of the forest department should immediately reach the spot with net and necessary equipment, track the nest or bird safely and catch it and release it in a safe forest or natural habitat.

Wildlife experts and security officials have advised the society to take the following precautions until the owl is captured:

• Completely avoid walking alone near open podiums and clumps of trees at night or late evening.

• While going out, use a helmet, thick cap or umbrella as a protective shield to protect the head and eyes.

• Do not try to hurt the owl by stoning or using any sharp object, as it is a protected animal under the Wildlife Protection Act and can become more violent if disturbed.

• If an owl is seen sitting on a duct or tree, do not immediately shine the torch or mobile light on its eyes and inform the maintenance or forest department about the exact location.