Barn Owls -again... [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[John Brannan <>]

The RSPCA vet was on the local ABC radio this afternoon and, in this context, made the comment that 90% of the Barn Owls that have been handed in recently are there as a result of injuries/exhaustion inflicted by other birds and are subsequently released back into the wild. She mentioned one that had been hit by a car and had to be put down. There was no mention (that I heard) of poisoning.

John Brannan

On 1/09/11 6:28 PM, Denis Wilson wrote:

In the light of some 15 barn owls being handed in to RSPCA recently, is is not reasonable to suggest that COG formally approach RSPCA, to ask to get a Vet to test for presence of rat/mouse baits in any Owls which do die (surely some will)?

Testing was suggested less formally a few days ago.

If they do have lots of Barn Owls, even RSPCA will surely recognise it as abnormal, and hopefully will respond to a request from some science.

If Toxicology screening is not available readily to RSPCA, would there be someone else in the COG family who might have access to suitable facilities (ANU or CSIRO)?

Just my two-bob's worth.

Denis Wilson

On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 5:14 PM, Perkins, Harvey <m("innovation.gov.au","Harvey.Perkins");">> wrote:

Hi all,

 

I made another pilgrimage out to Coppins Crossing Road about 10.30 last night and eventually, after about 45 minutes and 6 passes of the section of road from William Hovell Drive to the crossing, saw two Barn Owls - one on each side of the road about 250 m from WHD.

 

One took off immediately, the other hung around providing great views in the headlights. But when I tried to get closer with the camera it was obvious that the bird was injured - suspect it must have been clipped by the last car that passed. It kept flapping onto the road so I ended up throwing the car rug over it and taking it home for the night, then to RSPCA this morning. Apparently they've had about 15 Barn Owls handed in over the past couple of days!

 

Harvey

 

Harvey Perkins
CRC Program
_______________________________________
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

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--
Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com

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