Officials in Salem, Oregon liked a suggestion an MSNBC host offered about posting new signs to warn runners about a potential owl ambush. They liked the idea so much that they’re posting 20 signs.
Rachel Maddow, a host at MSNBC, made the suggestion that city officials put a vivid yellow warning sign with a pedestrian stick figure bent over forward at a run in Bush’s Pasture Park. Above that pedestrian is a raptor with the claws extended.
She made the suggestion after four runners claimed they were attacked by an owl that was likely trying to defend its nest from perceived threats. A surgeon running through the park was struck twice. One of the attacks was so aggressive that he believed he was having an aneurysm or stroke. Another runner said the owl nicked his scalp.
Parks and Transportation Services Manager Mark Becktel said the city attained rights to make the sign and will be posting 20 of them. He said the purpose is to make people aware that an owl is attacking people and going after their hats.
Officials originally had handbills with printed warnings on them, but Maddow claimed they were not powerful enough.
Experts stated that the type of owl is the barred owl which can be extremely aggressive, especially during the mating season. It was suggested that the mating season may soon be over and the owl may not be as aggressive much longer.
The press has had fun at the angry owl’s expense. In the Statesman Journal, the local paper, there is an Internet naming contest for the bird. Among the 11 suggestions, “Owlcapone” leads with 238 votes. Third place is “Rachel Maddowl” with 198 votes. Maddow made the suggestion during a 14 minute, Feb. 5 segment about Oregon’s wackiness.
The owl topic was just one of several brought up during that time period.
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