Don't Rush to Rescue Fallen Baby Owls, Leofoo Village Safari Park Advises

Leofoo Village Safari Park and the Hsinchu County Wildlife Rescue Center are reminding the public not to rush to rescue fallen baby owls, especially during the spring and summer breeding seasons. Many seemingly stranded young owls are actually in the process of learning to fly, a critical stage in their development. Their parents are often nearby, observing and ready to intervene if necessary. Interfering prematurely can disrupt this natural process and increase the risk of the owlets being separated from their parents.

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Silent flight is an important skill for owls and one of the key indicators of whether they can return to the wild.

The park highlights that "silent flight" is a vital skill for owls, enabling them to hunt effectively in the dark. The ability to fly silently is a key indicator of an owl's readiness to return to the wild. The rescue center, established in 2010, handles between 80 to 100 wildlife cases annually, with owls, particularly the Oriental Bay Owl, being a significant portion.

If a grounded owlet is found, the advice is to maintain a safe distance and observe for the presence of adult owls. If the owlet appears genuinely injured, disoriented, or in immediate danger, the park advises contacting professionals. Injured adult owls are also frequently treated at the center. Common causes of injury include "window strikes" from colliding with transparent glass surfaces and attacks by domestic cats and dogs.

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Many seemingly 'fallen behind' young birds are actually learning to fly. If you find a grounded young bird, it is best to keep your distance and observe if there are parent birds nearby, to avoid increasing the risk of separation from their parents due to human intervention.

For owls showing signs of distress, such as lethargy or unsteadiness, potentially indicating a concussion from a collision, the rescue team recommends keeping the bird warm and placing it in a cardboard box. It is crucial not to confine them in birdcages, which can cause wing or leg injuries. Furthermore, do not attempt to feed or provide water, as this should be left to trained wildlife rehabilitators. The park successfully reunited a wild Oriental Bay Owl with its parents after confirming its health and ability to fly.

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If you find an owl with low spirits, dull eyes, or unsteady standing, it may have suffered a concussion from a collision. Before reporting for rescue, pay attention to keeping it warm and placing it in a cardboard box. Do not put it in a birdcage, to avoid injuries such as wing or leg entrapment. Do not feed or water it yourself; handing it over to professional personnel for care is the correct way to help it return to the sky.