Rescued owls 'better off left in wild' say experts

These young tawny owls would have been better off being left in the wild

An owl sanctuary has appealed to leave young tawny owls alone after a number of the birds were brought in to a sanctuary.

The Barn Owl Trust, based at Ashburton in Devon, has had four tawny owlets that had fallen out of their nests brought in.

Dr Mateo Ruiz from the trust said: "Young tawny owls may look defenceless, but they're very well prepared they should be out and about, so if it looks healthy, then leave it alone.

"Maybe there are dog walkers and if you're a bit worried it's on the ground, you could lift it up and gently put it up on a branch, just so it's off the ground."

'Real problem'

Tawny owls have orangey red eye rims, while young barn owns are a pure white colour, he said.

"If you find a young barn owl, it's a question of finding a ladder and putting it back in the nest because it won't be fed if it's on the floor underneath," he said.

Injured birds could also be handed in to vets.

If you bring an owl to the trust or vets, let them know the details about where it was found, he said.

"The real problem is that in many cases, we don't really know where exactly they're from, and that becomes a real issue when you're going to get them back in the wild," he said.

"Captivity should be very much a passing phase and then the birds go back in the wild where they belong."

There is more advice on the trust's website.