2 burrowing owls returned to the wild in Florida after accidentally taking a cruise to Spain

SOUTH FLORIDA, Fla. —

Two burrowing owls who accidentally left Florida in February 2025 on a cruise ship were returned and released into the wild on March 12.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, two burrowing owls named Benito and Concho accidentally snuck out of Florida as stowaways on a cruise ship in February 2025, and ended up in Spain.

A year-long effort ensued to return Benito and Concho to the U.S. It involved international partners, permits, quarantine and a carefully planned flight back to the U.S., USFWS said.

On March 12, the owls were released back into the wild in South Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Reparation, which is the process of returning wildlife to its native habitat after its ended up somewhere they don't belong, requires international permits, coordination between multiple agencies, strict health screenings and more.

USFWS said that because of the difficult process, many animals that end up abroad may never make their way back to the wild. But due to the commitment of partners across the globe, Benito and Concho made it home.

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