Regina wildlife centre takes in injured, rarely seen owls

The northern saw-whet owl is rarely seen because it's one of the smallest nocturnal owls in North America. It was quite the surprise for the Salthaven West wildlife centre in Regina to encounter two in one month.

"My first reaction was that they are very cute. They have cute little faces," said Megan Lawrence, the director of rehabilitation at the centre. "It was very interesting to see them ... the first ones we have gotten in care here in Saskatchewan." 

The first northern saw-whet owl came into Salthaven West after a man found the owl on his property near Woodrow, Sask. Lawrence said the owl stunned itself after flying into a silo, and suffered a mild concussion.

After receiving four days of cage rest and anti-inflammatory medication, the small bird of prey was released into the wild. Salthaven West took him out at midnight and released him into a forested area outside Regina.

It was very interesting to see them...the first ones we have gotten in care here in Saskatchewan.- Megan Lawrence, Salthaven West 

The second owl was found in downtown Regina by a conservation officer on Friday. Lawrence speculates the bird broke its wing after flying into a window.

"He'll be in care for awhile and we will have to make sure he can fly and all that before we release him," explained Lawrence. "Because he's a juvenile, we'll have to also make sure he's able to find his own food." 

Salthaven West is treating the juvenile northern saw-whet owl with cage rest and medicine.

"We rarely see them in care here," Lawrence said. "It was a pleasure to treat them and return the one so far back to the wild."