For over three decades, the treasure hunt "On the Trail of the Golden Owl" captivated thousands of puzzle enthusiasts across France and beyond. Based on a book of riddles published in 1993, the hunt culminated in the search for a token that would unlock a magnificent golden owl prize, estimated to be worth €150,000 (about $165,000), reports CNN. On Thursday, after 31 years of relentless searching, the hunt's official social media accounts confirmed that the token had been found. A National Obsession The hunt began with the release of Sur la Trace de la Chouette d’Or (On the Trail of the Golden Owl) by author Régis Hauser, under the pseudonym Max Valentin, and artist Michel Becker. This unique treasure hunt blended cryptic riddles with real-world exploration, inspiring a dedicated community of more than 200,000 players known as "owlers." Participants were tasked with solving 11 puzzles contained in the book, as well as a hidden 12th puzzle, which together would reveal the exact location of the token—a replica of the owl buried somewhere in France. The prize for solving this elaborate puzzle was an original owl sculpture made of 3 kilograms (6 lbs, 10 oz) of gold, 7 kilograms (15 lbs, 7 oz) of silver, and diamond accents. Becker oversaw the creation of this exquisite piece, which has remained locked away for safekeeping while its replica was buried for participants to find. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralRead Later