Single Owl Mom Has Raised Over 500 Orphaned Babies
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For the past 26 years, one remarkable owl in British Columbia has been quietly helping raise hundreds of orphaned babies and giving them a second chance at life in the wild.
Casper, a great horned owl living at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, has become something of a legend at the wildlife rehabilitation center after fostering more than 500 rescued owlets since 1999. Casper first arrived at the center after suffering injuries that made it impossible for her to survive on her own in the wild. While she could no longer be released, the team soon discovered she had a very special gift: she was a natural foster mom.
Since then, she has helped teach generations of rescued baby owls the skills they need before returning to nature. Right now, she’s caring for four more owlets.
Staff say Casper plays a critical role in preparing the babies for survival. The young owls learn by watching her fly, hunt, and react to the world around them. “They look up to her, they follow her, they mimic her,” said Rob Hope, manager of the rehabilitation society, in an interview with CBC. Hope explained that Casper helps teach important behaviors like catching prey and staying wary of humans, lessons that can make all the difference once the birds are released into the wild.
“That’s what we want so that when those babies are in the wild, we know that they’ve got a good chance of survival,” he said.
Over the years, Casper has become far more than a rescue animal. She’s become a trusted teacher, protector, and stand-in mother to hundreds of vulnerable baby owls who otherwise might not have made it.