Barn owl rescue "highlights importance of removing litter" says South West charity

The rescue of a barn owl in Bristol has lead to calls from a South West animal charity to be careful with our Christmas rubbish.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue received a call about a barn own tangled in a kite line in Bristol.

The kite string was wrapped around a tree, and the owl had become ensnared by the tip of its wing while flying.

The team, based in the West Country, managed to rescue and rehabilitate the bird, who is now safely back in the wild.

"The owl was given antibiotics, and although there was swelling under both wings, we are pleased to report there were no fractures," said the rescue team.

"It also had a bruised cere (the fleshy area around its nostrils) but was able to fly and exhibit normal behaviours."

"After a few weeks of rehabilitation, allowing the swelling to subside and muscle strength to return, we were thrilled to release the owl back into the garden where it was found."

The rescue has lead to new calls from the charity to be careful with Christmas waste.

"This rescue highlights the critical importance of removing litter, as it can have devastating impacts on wildlife," the team added.

"This was one very lucky Barn Owl."

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