3-17-09

Today we were able to release our rehabilitated Saw-whet Owl. It was decided to do the release at the Rippleside Elementary School in Aitkin, MN because of the generosity of the 5th grade students attending Rippleside. Dr Katie loaded the little owl into her car and drove to Aitkin where all of the 5th grade classes were anxiously awaiting her arrival. When she arrived the teachers brought their students outside to the release area.

Dr. Katie put on the protective gloves and got the owl out of the transport cage.

After talking it over it was decided that Mrs. Robinson would do the actual release. Dr. Katie gave her a few instructions, transferred the owl to her hands, and then it was up, up, and away.

It takes very little time for one of these birds to cover a lot of ground. This picture was taken less than 1 second after the picture above.

After the owl was on its way the students milled around and chatted for a few seconds about the experience.

Then the teachers rounded everybody up and it was time to head back in to class.

After everyone was gone Dr. Katie walked out into the woods and was able to locate the spot where the owl had landed. She threw a couple of dead mice out near it so that it would have a ready made meal nearby for its first meal back in the wild.

Use your "Back" button to return to the main page.

jl