SPCA Monterey County rescues 5 owlets
By Alicia Alvarez
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PRUNEDALE, Calif. (KSBW) — Five nestling western screech owls are being cared for at the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation center. The SPCA said the owls were orphaned after their tree was cut down in Prunedale.
The owls were four weeks old and in fair health when they arrived at the wildlife center. Rehabilitators are providing feedings four times a day. The owls are in an indoor enclosure with a stuffed toy owl acting as a surrogate mother.
As the owls grow, they will be transitioned into an outdoor enclosure to learn to hunt and fly. They will be released back into the wild near where they were found when the owlets are old enough.
The owls were about the weight of a deck of playing cards sitting between 110 and 130 grams. They were about 3.5 inches tall, which is smaller than a standard energy drink can.
The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the only full-service wildlife rescue in Monterey County. They are currently caring for 36 wild patients, including two baby squirrels, four baby hummingbirds and five baby opossums.
The center cares for more than 2,500 animals each year.
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