Barn Owl Baby Saved From Prison

The following story about a barn owl was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

Another barn owl (Tyto alba) was in need of collection from the Leeuwkop prison after it, too, was found on the floor of a courtyard. Given that the environment was not safe for the owlet, we were called to collect the little one.

This is the second owlet from the prison. While the first one was unfortunately way too compromised to survive (falling from a height at such a young age, and initially found in the company of inmates that weren’t owl lovers), this one is a lot older and is in a better condition than the first owlet we collected.

At the moment, this owlet (affectionately named Odette) is beginning to self-feed. Initially, however, when the owlet wasn’t eating by itself, we tube-fed EmerAid IC Carnivore to ensure the owlet got the necessary nutrients to grow up healthy and strong.

Once we are happy with this owlet’s progress and it is old enough to fend for itself, we will release it in a safe space near its original territory.