Original post – 21 Feb 2025
by Project Wellbird / Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

There have been a number of little owls admitted into care via Project WellBird, as well as VetCare Kaikoura recently 🦉
Mostly those rescued are owlets (nest fall), cat predation and vehicle strike victims. Due to the nature of injuries, they require specialist treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Not all have a chance of recovery, but many do.
An adult owl handed over last week had suffered from head trauma and a humerus wing fracture due to vehicle strike. The owl remains in care, however prognosis is guarded.
Another recent patient had suffered from vehicle strike, resulting in spinal injury rendering the owl immobile on the side of the road in a residential area, and was subsequently mouthed by a cat.
Please look out for birds of prey on roads and rescue unwell raptors immediately.

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Link to donate to Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 29 May 2022
by South Essex Wildlife Hospital

located in Orsett, Essex, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

a few snaps of recent patients, just a few of the thousand that have arrived this month. 😊

a little [owl] who fell down a chimney was dirty and dehydrated but soon on his way back home.

In the comments it appears South Essex Wildlife Hospital called upon the chimney-owners to release (upon a clean bill of health) the Little Owl back to where he was found:

We got the owl home safe and sound and took him out to the back garden where we let him go. It was so lovely to see him fly off.

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Link to donate to South Essex Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Photos: DR NATTIYA KRAJANGPIT

Original post – 16 May 2019
by South Island Wildlife Hospital

located in Christchurch, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

We have had a Little German owl in care for a broken wing. Our clever vet pinned it 3 weeks ago. Last night the pins were removed. Today the owl is looking a lot better and is beginning to hold the wing on its own. Some physio will get the wing moving well.

These photos were taken after waking up from anaesthetic. Looking a little spaced out, but ate well.

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SIWH posted news on the Little Owl 2-3 weeks after this, saying:

its wing is responding to physio – is in an aviary, and flapping well

followed by a final update:

A long road – surgery, convalescence, and then twice weekly physiotherapy (which involved an anaesthetic). Finally on Wednesday he was released successfully, and flew strongly. Many thanks to Dr P and Dr N for their combined skills.

Link to donate to South Island Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

by Wildlife Aid Foundation located in Leatherhead, Surrey UK

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This rather stern-looking Little Owl arrived at the centre after being freed from netting.

The tiny bird had been trapped, causing severe bruising to the skin; luckily, it escaped without any fractures to the bone of the entangled wing.

Now on painkillers, it will stay with us until the bruising has completely healed and the vet team is happy that it has has full use of its wing.

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Link to donate to Wildlife Aid Foundation for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 17 Jan 2023
by Project Wellbird – Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Another little owl/ruru nohinohi has arrived in care 🦉
Many thanks to Liz for rescuing the young owlet from a Hapuku roadside at 6am whilst going for a run. The owlet was dazed, unable to fly and dragging a leg.

The fledgling is suffering from vehicle strike impact and apparent head trauma. Clinical signs include neurological symptoms – weakness, lethargy, head tilt, lacking coordination, lacking balance, and immobility.

Little owls are prone to vehicle strike, as they often sit on the warm tarseal of roads at dawn and dusk. They may also forage for moths near street lights. Owls can be slow to take off, please slow upon approach, and ensure to rescue any vehicle strike victims.
The owlet is currently being medicated and will likely be transferred once stabilised for further assessment, including x-rays.

Wings crossed 💚

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Link to donate to Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 16 Jan 2023
by Project Wellbird – Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Many thanks to Tanja for rescuing a young little owl which was captured by a cat.

While the fledgling sustained no bite wounds or fractures, any wildlife patient mouthed by a cat requires assessment and antibiotics, as fine puncture wounds and cat saliva can result in infection and subsequent death.

To reduce predation impacts by pet cats on wildlife please consider containing cats indoors, particularly from dawn to dusk, when birds are most at risk whilst roosting. Containment is the only realistic solution to ensure protection of wildlife.

Alternatively you can trim cat claws monthly (as these shed regularly) with a pet nail trimmer, to decrease tree climbing ability. Dull claws also give captured wildlife a chance to escape and minimise the likelihood of puncture wounds (unless mouthed). Numerous bells and neon collars provide wildlife a chance to escape when being preyed upon, by emitting noise and increasing visibility 🐈

Any birds or reptiles caught by cats will generally be in shock and/or suffer from injury, requiring immediate rescue 💚

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You can help fund Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust at the following DONATION LINK

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 03 Sep 2023 – Source

by Centro de Recuperação de Animais Selvagens de Santo André
(CRASSA)
Located in Santiago do Cacém, Portugal

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Translated text:

The last young Little owl that arrived to us this year is completing its flying and hunting school, and will soon be returning to the wild 🌳

Original text in Portuguese:

Os últimos juvenis de Mocho-galego (Athene noctua) que nos chegaram este ano, estão a terminar a sua escola de voo e caça, e em breve regressarão à liberdade 🌳

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There’s a few ways you can help CRASSA: they have a donation page (for those based in Portugal) and an Amazon wishlist, see more at their linktree.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 01 Feb 2022
by Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust

located in Kaikōura, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Website | Instagram | Facebook

“A Little Owl nestling was rescued from a water trough on a farm south of Kaikoura last week, after falling from its nest site in an oak tree during southerly winds.

“This young owl is still developing its wing feathers and is very thin. He was wet and in poor condition upon being found. Minor bleeding on the cere of the beak was sustained, as well as mild trauma to the right eye, due to impact from crash landing.

“The owlet has since been stabilised and transferred to the South Island Wildlife Hospital. This youngster will be rehabilitated until he has regained condition and is self-sufficient, before being returned to the wild.”

Photos: SABRINA LUECHT

Update:

“The young Little Owl that was rescued and transferred into care at the South Island Wildlife Hospital, is improving in energy levels after receiving regular fluids and small meals. Pictured is the owlet during weigh in. We look forward to seeing this owl back in the wild once rehabilitation has been completed. Thank you to the wonderful team at @siwildlifehospital”

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For those willing and able please consider helping fund Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust at the following
🔗 DONATION LINK 🔗.

Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

Little owl being wrapped in a towel, as part of treatment by wildlife specialists.
I think they’re putting him on a dinner plate to be funny, and hopefully not as part of meal preparation 😮

Couldn’t find a source for this one. If anyone can find the original please get in touch: info@owlsintowels.org