Two Eurasian eagle owls, the largest owl species in the world, come to Topeka Zoo

The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center has two new Eurasian eagle owls, and they will debut to the public on Thanksgiving Day.

The owls, the largest of the owl species, are a newly-acquired breeding pair put together by the Eurasian eagle owl species survival plan, the zoo said in a news release.

Morrisey, the female, came from a zoo in Florida, and the male, Gengis, is from the Kansas City Zoo.

They were introduced to each other during their quarantine period soon after arriving in Topeka.

“It was like love at first sight,” said Topeka Zoo director Brendan Wiley. “They really enjoy being together.”

Eurasian eagle owls are fierce predators and capable of killing small antelope, the release said. Their wings can span up to six feet and their native range includes much of Europe, Asia, and the northern part of Africa. They typically nest on cliffs or ledges.

The Topeka Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day but stops granting admission at 4:30 p.m.