Baby owls recover after fall from Monterey County nest
Photo: SPCA for Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - Three rescued baby owls are learning the ways of the wild from their surrogate mother as they recover at the SPCA for Monterey.
The nestling owls came to the SPCA Wildlife center after they fell from their nest and could not be returned to their home safely.
SPCA for Monterey County spokeswoman Beth Brookhouser tells KTVU when the baby owls were rescued they given hydration and intensive feedings.
They are now learning how to be owls from 'Mama Owl,' a Great Horned Owl who was injured by a power line and can no longer survive in the wild. She lives at the SPCA for Monterey County with a purpose of helping raise orphaned baby owls.
Video released from the SPCA for Monterey County shows the baby owls bobbing their heads from side to side.
"They are telling us to go away and also showing interest in the camera. We love that they don’t like us - that is a very good sign! Most human hospitals prefer patients who like them, but we need to keep our wild patients wild," said Brookhouser.
The SPCA for Monterey County goes to great lengths to make sure the owls don't "imprint." Care takers working with the owls wear special outfits they can't see humans.
The owls will be busy learning how to be owls from 'Mama Owl.' Brookhouser hopes they'll be released back into the wild next fall. They hope to reunite the nestlings with their parents.
Learn more about the SPCA for Monterey County or make a donation here.