Recent Rescues

[den]

Barn owl. I took him out to the zoovets because he seemed to have a vision problem. Tim The Vet said he was blind in one eye, which means he can't be released. Tim is talking about putting him in a captive care programme but National Parks policy says the owl has to be euthanased. I'm going to pass this on to the experts, but I hope the owl gets a paper euthanasia and goes into care. He's really fit and healthy, apart from being blind, and has taken to captivity like a champion.

Comments

[weyrdbird.livejournal.com]

I wish there was a way to test its capability before euthanization is considered. Three years ago I saw a crow that had had almost all it's feathers missing from its right wing aside from those on the end. Believe it or not, this bird could still fly and land well. It just had to take a little longer about it. I observed it for a week on and off, and it had no trouble catching or finding food. Then again, I live in an urban area. Is blindness in one eye that much of a challenge? The bird looks healthy and unless the reason it was recused is cause for the blindness it may still be quite capable. I also notice one eye is bigger than the other.

"I don't have to get my own dinners; they bring them to me on a plate 'round here!":).

That is a beautiful owl. It deserves to live!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Owls need their ears and eyes for finding prey, and have excellent depth perception compared to other birds because of the front placement of their eyes. One blind eye can make the difference between eating and not eating. :/

We have barn owls here, too. They're stunning animals.