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Two Eagle Owls set free

ABU DHABI — The Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (Erwda) has released two juvenile Eagle Owls back into the wild after it came to their rescue almost a year ago.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 2 Mar 2005, 9:15 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:11 PM

Erwda's Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital helped both birds recover fully and is now confident that they can continue on to live a strong and healthy life. The UAE's breeding population is estimated to be around 25-50 pairs and Eagle Owls are listed as a priority species for conservation.

The birds were admitted to the hospital almost a year ago. They were very weak and dehydrated with one Owl having been wounded in the right wing and sustaining serious damage. The birds were immediately prepared to undergo intensive treatment to repair the damaged wing which has now healed perfectly. The second Owl had suffered from massive salmonellosis and severe diarrhoea. Both Owls received treatment for the diarrhoea and dehydration and were given special vitamins and minerals. The birds were then tagged to monitor the progress of their health and released back into the wild.

The Eagle Owl is not globally threatened and is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). However, the long-term conservation of the Eagle owl in the UAE depends on the continued availability of suitable habitats for feeding and breeding.

The Eagle owl may live up to 50-60 years in captivity. However, in the wild, they live for about 20 years. They have no real natural enemies but collision with power lines and fences and in some cases shooting may be a problem.

Also known as the Desert Eagle Owl, it is one of the largest kinds of owls and is found throughout North Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. In Asia and the Middle East, it is found mainly in areas dominated by cliffs, rocky outcrops and in sandy deserts with Ghaf trees. They are usually about 46-50 cm long and females weigh up to 2.3 kg while males weigh between 1.7 to 2 kg. Their voice can be heard as a characteristic single deep 'whu'. They like to nest on cliff ledges and rock crevices and in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, nests have been found under Prosopis trees.