Increase in Owl Admissions

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Sue Kirchoff, U of M College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-3781

Raptor Center Seeing an Unusually High Number of Injured Owls
May Be Indication of 'Owl Invasion' 

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Dec. 15, 2004) - An unusually large number of northern owls, particularly great grey owls, have been admitted to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota in recent weeks. Veterinarians suspect that the unusual number of owl admissions indicates that an owl "invasion" is underway.

Owl invasions or irruptions occur during cyclic lows in the owls' prey populations (voles, lemmings, and other small rodents) in the owls' normal winter habitat, which includes much of Canada and northern Minnesota. During the prey population's low points, which occur every 7 to 12 years, the owls are forced south from their usual habitat in search of food.

"Although this southern movement is normal in years when the owls' food sources are scarce up north, an invasion brings them in closer contact with humans, often to the owls' disadvantage," said Julia Ponder, D.V.M., a veterinarian at The Raptor Center. "Many of these birds are hit by cars or suffer other traumatic injury."

Since Nov. 1, The Raptor Center has admitted 25 northern owls - 23 great gray owls and 2 northern hawk owls. These owls have received treatments ranging from supportive medical care to advanced orthopedic surgery. Seven great gray owls and one northern hawk owl are currently hospitalized at the center. In a typical year, the center sees only one or two of the elusive birds.

This is not the first great gray owl invasion that The Raptor Center has experienced. During the winter of 1995-1996, the center admitted 15 great gray owls, most from the Twin Cities area.

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. In addition to treating approximately 800 birds a year, the program provides training in raptor medicine and surgery for veterinarians from around the world, reaches more than 150,000 people each year through public education programs and events, and identifies emerging issues related to raptor health and populations. A program within the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center is supported by private funds.