Life is a hoot once again for August, the baby barn owl, thanks to the skill and care of the team at a Berwick veterinary practice.
The owlet was taken to Galedin Vets by volunteers from Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust after breaking his leg when he proved that not all owls are wise by falling out of the nest!
Vet Emily Reeves carried out delicate surgery on the young bird, inserting a pin to straighten the tiny bone in a life-saving operation, taking half an hour.
August, who was also looked after by veterinary nurse Mel Herdman, is now recovering at the trust and will be released back into the wild when he is old enough.
He is one of hundreds of injured or sick birds and wildlife, including hedgehogs, swans, buzzards and other birds of prey, taken to Galedin’s surgery at Ramparts Business Park in Berwick by the team from Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust.
Pat Goff, secretary of the trust, said: “The vets at Galedin did a brilliant job. The owl was very young and its leg was badly broken. Without the surgery it would never have been able to fly properly or hunt, so it most certainly would have died.
“It’s lovely success story, especially as we have so few barn owls these days, we really need to look after them.”
August the owlet with veterinary nurse Mel Herdman (left) and vet Emily Reeves
