Owl tangled in net

seandugg

Hi,

Found an owl at our local gaa pitch. He was after getting stuck in the nets and was dangling by its legs.

Does not seem to be injured.

Currently have it untangled and minding it in a box.

What the best course of action? Planning on waiting until monday and getting it checked out by a vet before releasing

Pie Man

What part of the country are you in, you should contact your local wildlife warden ASAP. What kind of owl is it, barn owls are whitish in color and if its brown its a long eared owl or maybe a short eared owl.

Cedrus

We rescued a barn owl at work a few years back, it had hit a chainlink fence and we kept it in a box for the day until one of the lads took it to the vets on the way home. It didn't seem to be badly injured but with hindsight we all agreed that the box was a bad idea, it seemed to us that it died of shock and the box was a large part of that.

meathstevie

Leave it in a safe but not too confined place ( high spot out of reach of cats and dogs ) and make sure it has a bit of food and water about ( a tin of wet cat food will be fine ) and see how it gets on. If it's not or only very lightly injured it should take to the wing rather sharpish, if not get it to the vet. If you transport it you can ask the vet for the lend of something the likes of a medium sized dog cage.

If it doesn't take to the skies sharpish you should inform your local NPWS ranger as owls are protected animals and capture and possession of such by law requires a licence. Of course in your case you didn't know you would end up capturing an owl so the licence issue is a bit beside the point and hence you need to give the NPWS a heads up.

Another option is finding a wildlife rescue place in your area and bring it there.

seandugg

Pic of the little fella attached.

Seems to be moving ok now.

NPWS are closed today so will get him checked out tomorrow and release him.

swifts need our help!

It's going to ruin its wing and tail feathers in a budgie cage. These are vital feathers

Do you have a garage or large shed?

I could be wrong but I think it needs to go back where it was found

Mark

Mothman

seandugg wrote: »

Pic of the little fella attached.

Seems to be moving ok now.

NPWS are closed today so will get him checked out tomorrow and release him.

Just seen this and while I realise your intentions are good, not withstanding that without intervention it was a goner. I really hope it works out but I'm with Mark on this.
It looks to me at serious risk of injury where it currently is.

There would have been a duty ranger on call, but NPWS don't make it easy to know these things.

I pray that it all ends well

dodderangler

I'm a falconer if you want me to check him as npws are not too great on helping to be honest
Where ate you livin actually heard of someone losing one other day

dodderangler

Ado do not leave it cat food that is a ridiculous thing to give a barn owl
He or she needs day old chicks and or a mouse or half a rat
He may not eat from you either as it doesn recognise you as safe or it's owner
Please contact me ASAP
Before someone gives you more bad advice pm me
Does it have a ring on it
Any anklets or jesses

Half-cocked

Needs to be released back into the wild ASAP. Barn Owls are almost impossible to feed in captivity without expert help. Dehydration is the biggest and immediate threat.

wildlifeboy

did it survive? beautiful bird.

seandugg

Had some advise via PM's and a local wildlife officer came out to take a look too.

Was released after lunch and looking in good shape.

Half-cocked

Thats good news.

marlin vs

Fair play to you.