Great Horned Owl Release at Rancho Tajiguas

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) A Great Horned Owl raised at the Ojai Rapter Center is now free.

The owl release took place at Rancho Tajiquas.

"We can rehab all we want, but we need an actual space for the bird and how great is this," said Ojai Rapter Center Executive Director Chris Eksteen.

"It is a biodiversity hot spot we know all the properties this properties was under serious threat of development," said Gaviota Coast Conservancy Executive Director Doug Kern.

Eksteen said someone found the chick at the base of a tree in Goleta, and although it's mother was probably nearby, brought it to the center where it spent about five months.

The owners of the ranch invited the Ojai Raptor Center and the Gaviota Coast Conservancy to let the owl take flight on the property this afternoon.

Phyllis W. Grey, who said her family lived at the historic Hacienda at Rancho Tajiguas, did the honors of opening the door to set the owl free.

They limited the number of people on hand to reduce the stress on the owl.