Endangered owls, cared for at the Calgary Zoo, now returned to the wild
Zookeepers, who cared for a group of endangered owlets, hope to see the birds mating and laying eggs this season to help bolster Alberta's wildlife population.
Over the past year, staff at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo worked at the facility's Wildlife Conservation Centre (WCC) to raise 20 burrowing owls to give them a head start on a life in the wild.
Without the threat of predators, extreme weather, competition for food and resources, the owls rate of survival has greatly increased, officials say.
"Conservation head-starting is just one piece of a very challenging puzzle," said Graham Dixon-MacCallum, conservation research population ecologist with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, in a release.
"We know that burrowing owls still face threats in their grasslands habitat, but thanks to this important collaborative effort there are more owls in the wild to regain a foothold in the province."
Staff members that worked with the owlets say they were "lucky" to be a part of their lives.
"It's fantastic to see the progress they have made here at the WCC," said Colleen Baird, senior manager of animal care with the Animal Care, Health, & Welfare team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
"We want to make sure that the owls are equipped to overcome challenges in the wild. Our team of veterinary, animal care, and conservation research experts work together to ensure the owls are healthy and have excellent body condition."
The Prairies are where Canada's burrowing owl population makes their home and habitat loss, climate change and other environmental changes have led to their decline.
"Canada's burrowing owls have seen a more than 90 per cent decline in their population over the last 40 years and are still facing significant threats. One of the many factors that limit their population from growing is the low survival rate of owlets hatched in the wild," the zoo said.
Now that they are free in the Canadian grasslands, the owls are able to nest in secure burrows installed by team members and equipped with a netted enclosure.
They will also be provided food at the location until they lay eggs of their own.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.