Welsh Mountain Zoo

SEPTEMBER KEEPER OF THE MONTH

Simon Killick is keeper of the birds here at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

Simon received two phone calls from residents in North Wales reporting wild Tawny Owls that had been found in their gardens, they were concerned because the Owls looked very young and had not moved from the garden in a while.

Tawny Owls are the most common and widespread Owl in Europe and have a body length of around 38cm and a wingspan of 95-105cm. They hunt small birds, mammals, frogs and insects by quickly swooping down on them. The male and females bond for life and both parents work equally to feed the chicks.

The Welsh Mountain Zoo took these young Tawny Owls in, both from different areas within North Wales and Simon began to rear the animals..

When the two Owls were brought to the Zoo they were only weeks old and needed to stay at the Zoo for around four months, where Simon took good care of them.

It was important for Simon not to become attached to the Owls as they were only brought in to mature, before being released into the wild once again, therefore it was important not to give the Owls names and not to stroke them.

After being at the Welsh Mountain Zoo for four months, the two Owls got their flight feathers and were taken back to where they were found and were released.