A beloved Eastern Screech Owl stolen this week from a Long Hill avian rehab center has been returned to the facility.

Officials with The Raptor Trust in Long Hill say Simon -- a tiny, partly blind and flightless owl -- was returned unharmed Friday night. That came after a good Samaritan told them the bird would be returned if no charges were filed.

Lauren Butcher, the trust's education director, told The Daily Record of Parsippany that officials don't believe that person was involved in the abduction, which apparently happened late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Butcher said Simon was a little dehydrated and undergoing fluid therapy Saturday, but was expected to make a full recovery. But he will be shielded from the public this weekend so he can calm down.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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