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from fb PPO Plant Owl
Very sad news to report:
A few hours ago, our neighbour called us over to her garden. Her dogs had attacked an owl. I rushed over, and there, lying with its badly broken wings, was one of the chicks. We're not 100% sure who it is - Santa or Claus. I rested the broken owl on my chest, its wings splayed out mangled, and we rushed it off to our bird specialist vet. Unfortunately, its injuries and suffering was too much, and it had to be put down.
I ask that you are aware of the plight of wild creatures, especially in an urban environment.
I ask that you pass on this message to anyone within close proximity of nesting owls, or other young wild creatures. Despite our warnings of owls moving around to everyone living near us, and despite us asking repeatedly for people to be mindful of dogs, this happened. The poor chick didn't stand a chance with three mauling dogs.
I ask that you do not reply to this post with tales of similar horror stories. Now is not the time to share this 'information' as the hurt is very much raw - for us, and especially for PPO and Pappa.
On our return home from the vet, another neighbour told me the surviving chick had just flown into the same neighbour's garden (with the dogs). Again, I rushed over and searched high and low for the chick, and couldn't see anything.
All the time, PPO was sounding her alarm call when I approached the area that we found the chick. Eventually PPO flew away - realising that her chick wasn't there.
A short time after that, I saw two owls on the rooftop. As one of the owls flew off, I heard a familiar hissing sound coming from over the wall (on the wetland side). PPO flew in some food that Pappa had just given her for the surviving chick.
I hope not to see the chick again anywhere near here - until it is flying perfectly. The thought of what happened to the other one, and what it looked like dying on my chest and looking up at me, is something I never wish to repeat.
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