Warning to dog owners after huge bird of prey escapes from London Zoo 8 days ago

Dog walkers have been warned to stay away from areas where Jester had been spotted across West London, with sightings in Richmond Park and South Ealing, and was last spotted on Barnes Common

Dog walkers are being urged to stay away from a bird of prey which escaped London Zoo eight days ago.

Jester, the crested caracara, has a 4ft wingspan but is not a danger to the public.

However, experts have urged dog owners to beware as this type of US falcon is usually seen walking on the ground searching for food.

The bird of prey has been spotted across West London, with sightings in South Ealing and Richmond Park.

According to one dog owner, Jester was spotted on Barnes Common, which is more than 11 miles from London Zoo.

The dog walker said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it looking down from the trees.”

Jester is thought to have escaped by flying off over Regent’s Park during training last Tuesday and has not returned since flying off eight days ago.

The plan to coax Jester back into the zoo is by using a travel crate using her favourite food – quail and crickets.

Although she poses no threat to the public, zookeepers are trying to get her back as soon as possible.

However, in the meantime, it is thought Jester would currently be eating food in the urban environment as she’s been spotted in Richmond Park and South Ealing.

Whilst there have been sightings of Jester, zookeepers have so far been unable to coax her back, but dog walkers are being urged to be cautious as the bird of prey is looking for food.

Fortunately, like a crow or magpie, the birds of prey are able to scavenge for food and can survive in an urban environment on their own as they can eat a whole range of different foods from insects, carrion, and munching out of bins and wastage.

But with a wingspan of 4ft, dog owners are being urged to stay away from the bird which includes keep the dog on a lead and to look out for Jester as she moves around different parks and locations in London.

Whilst Jester has been away for eight days, the zoo are confident she is more than able to equip herself with the right food in order to survive, the zoo commented: “Caracaras are well equipped for surviving in an urban environment.

“Rather like a crow or magpie, they are primarily scavengers, eating carrion, insects, and grubs or food out of bins.”

Although for the zoo, this is not the first time a birds of prey has escaped as back in 1965, a male golden eagle called Goldie fled the zoo or 12 days before being caught.