The New Zealand Raptor Trust has marked the rehabilitation and release of its 150th bird.
Late last month the milestone was marked with the release of a little owl/ruru nohinohi named Jack.
Jack was discovered with injuries by a group of hunters, sitting stunned on the side of the road, potentially hit by a car.
Weighing in at about 180g and 23cm long, the little owl stands up to its name.
A small grey, brown and white streaked owl and, surprisingly for an owl, often seen perched out in the open during the day predominantly throughout the drier open country of the eastern and northern South Island.
Jack was collected by one of the trust’s regular ‘‘Uber Drivers’’ and transported from Oamaru to the Raptor Trust team in Timaru to be assessed by the team at Vetlife.
Vetlife, which is a key partner and sponsor of the trust, along with the work of the rehab lead volunteers Angie Tidy and Jenni Fraser saw Jack nursed back to health and strength ready to be released back to the wild.
Established in 2016, the trust has released 103 hawks, four falcons and 43 owls, culminating in the release of the 150th bird rescued, rehabilitated and released back to the wild in just nine years.
The trust receives calls from across the Canterbury and Otago regions from members of the public who have found injured birds of prey (known as raptors) such as hawks, falcons and owls.
Jack’s release was at Andy and Ann Powazynski’s home in Weston, and they supplied a morning tea complete with a owl-shaped chocolate cake to mark the 150th release.
Jack Briscoe, who accompanied his grandmother on the ‘‘uber drive’’, had become the little owl’s namesake, and he was the releaser on the day.
The trust is now doubling down on its efforts following the recent DOC-issued permit for captive breeding of falcons at its Timaru site.
It will mean falcons that are unable to be released back to the wild can become potential breeding pairs with their fledging chicks being released into the wild. Donations can be made via the NZ raptor website.
The trust is also keen to receive donations of food, including rabbits, hares, venison and chickens.
If an injured raptor is found, people can call Jenni on 021 896 268.
