LONG HILL — Deep in an 14-acre labyrinth of giant bird cages, each the size of a small home, amid the hoots of owls and the glow of their yellow eyes, somebody came for an Eastern Screech Owl named Simon.

An intruder, or intruders, climbed through a hole cut in the fence, into the flight cage, and snatched Simon, the injured, flightless bird. Then, both Simon and its captor vanished.

That was Wednesday night, or early Thursday morning, and nobody at the Raptor Trust in Long Hill, Morris County, has since seen Simon.

The leaders of one of the largest and most respected bird rehabilitation centers in the nation are stunned by the theft. They say nothing like this has ever happened in the group’s 40-plus year history.

"It just feels like you’ve been violated," said Len Soucy Jr., who had just a cardboard box when he started the group. "And there’s nothing you can do about it. It stinks."

Workers at the center called police when they noticed the 5- to- 8- ounce screech owl, one of the most common owls in New Jersey, missing around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities were also called to the center the day before, according to Ben Montgomery, the center’s property manager. On Wednesday, Montgomery noticed someone tried to break into another cage. When he checked it again Thursday, he noticed someone had tried to mess with the lock. That’s when workers started checking on other cages.

"I had a feeling and went over to the (cages)," said Cathy Malok, senior veterinary technician at the center, "and there was a big hole."

The center has 80 aviaries. It rehabilitates about 3,500 birds and hosts 50,000 human visitors each year, Soucy said.

He believes the burglar knew the center well, targeting cages with the smallest owls. Workers believe the burglar shut the door to the cage behind them, ensuring other birds didn’t escape.

The owl they took, Simon, came to Raptor Trust about 6 years ago as an adult after he was hit head-on by a car. The owl suffers from vision and neurological damage, making it hard to balance or fly. Simon, whose gender is undetermined, also has dietary requirements.

"I just hope the people who took him realize that this is the best place for him and that they bring him back safe," Malok said.

Many at the center worry that Simon won’t survive if released into the wild.

"It’s a death sentence," said Lauren Butcher, the education director.

Until Simon’s return, workers said they are following every lead — even talking to pet stores to see who has purchased a lot of mice.

The center will be closed to the public during the police investigation. Soucy’s also going to look into security measures, such as surveillance cameras. He says it’s a federal offense to possess a protected species without a permit and he will not press charges if Simon is returned safe and healthy.

"We’re going to find out who did it," he said. "With some help, we will."

Staff writer Ryan Hutchins contributed to this story.

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