Casper, a resilient single mother owl, has nurtured over 500 owlets during her lengthy tenure at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta over the past 26 years. Casper’s protective instincts are unwavering, and her disdain for humans is a vital quality that she imparts to her charges. Presently, she is caring for four fledglings of similar ages, rescued from diverse situations.
Manager Rob Hope lauds Casper’s teaching abilities, including flying, hunting prey, and instilling a fear of humans in the fledglings, essential skills for their future survival in the wild. Hope emphasizes the importance of the young owlets observing, following, and imitating Casper to ensure their readiness for release into their natural habitat.
The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing various raptors, such as eagles, falcons, and owls. Casper joined the society in 1999 after an incident in Prince George left her with missing talons, hindering her hunting abilities. Nevertheless, she exhibited exceptional caregiving skills, particularly when she first encountered a baby owlet, showcasing her innate maternal instincts.
Hope commends Casper’s role as a trusted mother figure for the organization and expresses hope for her continued well-being. Despite being an adult when she arrived at the society, Casper, estimated to be in her late 20s, could potentially live well into her 30s in captivity, according to the Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society.
Casper’s leadership in nurturing the fledglings allows volunteers to maintain minimal contact with them, ensuring that she guides their development effectively. The fledglings are expected to remain under Casper’s care for approximately another month before venturing out on their own.
