Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ecstatic kids watch rehabbed owl set free
About two feet tall with spooky round, yellow eyes, the bird lifted off and landed in the nearest tree, watched by hundreds of students at a city schoolyard Wednesday.
Wildlife experts had nursed the owl, a small male estimated to be less than a year old, back to health in anticipation of his release and arranged with Acadia School officials to let the entire student body watch the flight.
The students surged toward the owl and his keepers in their excitement to see the bird set free, but the determined efforts of teachers linking arms like a living fence kept them a respectful distance back.
"We tried to keep them quiet, but they were so excited," Acadia principal Elaine Egan said afterward.
"He's going to be a symbol for these kids and it was important for these kids to have a part in this. They'll be talking about it for a long time," said McCarthy, an Assiniboine Park Zoo technician and owl rescuer.
The owl was hunting in September when he chased a rabbit into a soccer net at Acadia. The owl had the rabbit in his talons but the net had him by the wings, hopelessly tangled.
School officials called the city for help. Assiniboine Park Zoo officials answered the distress call.
X-rays showed the wing wasn't broken but the tissue was torn.
A week in the zoo hospital and the owl headed to rehab at the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, a private agency run by volunteers who nurse wildlife back to health.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 4, 2008 A6
-
WFP Hockey
Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand
-
Winnipeg Jets
All things NHL on our Jets landing page
-
Twitter
Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter
-
News Cafe
Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events
-
Facebook Fanpage
Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to Life & Style
Poll
Most Popular
- Jury on Stobbe trial down to 13 members
- Police say it's a miracle anyone survived crash that killed 10 migrant workers
- Madonna 'not impressed' over M.I.A Super Bowl finger
- Jets defeat Leafs 2-1
- Two Mounties shot and wounded in rural area southeast of Edmonton
- M.I.A. splits from fiance
- Jets forwards among cellar-dwellers in payroll, goals scored
- LeAnn Rimes in pain following 'minor surgery'
- Stobbe said slaying during shopping trip 'strange': sister-in-law
- Eleven people killed after truck hits van in southwestern Ontario
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Three winning tickets sold for Friday's $50 million Lotto Max jackpot
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Woman sexually assaulted during noon-hour in Exchange District
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Smith injured after transit fare protest
- Two armed men rob store at Grant Park Shopping Centre
- Eleven people killed after truck hits van in southwestern Ontario
- Nick Carter's sister dies
- Do you smoke marijuana?
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- George Clooney's prank could end Pitt's career
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Tina Maze strips down to her sports bra to send out underwear message: 'Not your business'
- Group's speed-limit sign removed from Pembina Highway
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Two children, two women die in fire
- Kate Beckinsale's weight fears over Underworld catsuit
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- Golf course pressured on outstanding payments
- Trapped bear commits vehicular mauling, also manages to open garage door
- All the single ladies: 'Bachelor Canada' launches tour to find contestants
- Conservatives cut short House of Commons long-gun registry debate
- Two Mounties shot and wounded in rural area southeast of Edmonton
- Spanking hurts more than helps, studies find
- Ottawa hits ex-rural pharmacist with $3.1-M suit over suspect claims
- Casting tour for The Bachelor Canada stopping in city Feb. 23
- Author Léveillé wins arts distinction award
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- Northern fishing lodge destroyed by fire
- Police target drivers talking on cellphones, texting
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- Time, it appears, is on Assad's side
- Baird says Canada is a better friend of Israel than United States is
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Paddler Starkell was modern-day voyageur
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Local shooting spoofed on SNL
- Winnipeg mother watches as car stolen with child inside
- Canadian woman 'badly injured' in Mexico, local media report apparent beating
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- 4 dead in northern Ontario plane crash
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.