Rescued owl that was trapped in a discarded fishing line - Meet Luna owl
Luna’s story from rescue to release
Whilst out walking in Purley on Thames with my husband on a chilly January morning a couple of weekends ago Matt spotted the tawny owl hanging from a branch over the middle of an almost frozen river by her wing. It was so sad to see how helpless she was and the pain she must have been in just hanging there sideways from one wing. We rescued her after she was trapped in a discarded fishing line.
I am so grateful for my practical and caring husband who went home to get our huge net to save her, a towel for her comfort as well as already having something to cut the line to free her and to our locals too who spotted me on the phone enquiring into care for the owl whilst waiting for Matt to return with the net, they grabbed what they could and came to help too to free this gorgeous, cute owl. Purley on Thames is an AMAZING community.
Once the owl was free and safely in the net Matt lay the net on the grass and patiently and carefully untangled the owl from the line at the lock in Purley.
The rescue images of the owl being saved from a fishing line where taken on my iPhone.
I am very grateful to my daughters too. My youngest for her great idea and my eldest for her amazing connection.
My youngest was having a sleepover with her best friend and was woken up by mum and dad with an owl 🦉 wrapped in a towel - Something I am sure we will all remember forever.
Whilst gently cuddling the owl she reminded us of her big sister’s linkedin connection - Carly Ahlen. Shannon had told me in the past about this lady and what she did to save our wildlife shown me her gorgeous rescue pictures of foxes and other animals on linkedin. Shannon was on her way to a beach but made the call to Carly who did not hesitate to drive down all the way from Kent to meet us. Below I will show pictures of Carly’s Labour of love for our fast declining wildlife ❤️
I did not think to capture the very sad scene of Luna actually hanging all alone over the river sideways from her wing however it would have been helpful for Carly’s veterinarian too see. So I learnt if this happens in the future (as sadly this is not the first animal I have seen in Purley stuck on a fishing line) I will remember to document the animal in distress too as sad as this is, so the person helping can see what has happened.
Bringing tawny owl home
Here is Luna arriving at our home to be placed gently and safely in our cat box with water and loose towel as recommended. Sienna and her best friend had the most wonderful wake up call to meet this beautiful owl who would soon be collected and taken out of any pain and would go to heal in an aviary as soon as the time was right.
Luna’s healing and rehabilitation with Carly Ahlen of Gabo Wildlife
Carly met us in a car park in Wokingham and the swop over was quick as she took Luna on a journey to get her looked over and to receive pain relief, she was so thoughtful even giving us another cat box just incase we needed one for our cat whilst Luna was away.
Carly promised before she drove off to release her together back in her own territory as she taught us that tawny owls will likely be in pairs for life. - so sweet. Wow she was actually coming all the way back for the release.
A little sneak peak into Carly’s life:
It is imperative that she hand feeds Luna whilst she recovers from her recent trauma or she would starve.. Owls get all their moisture intake from their food, so after Carly carefully rehydrated Luna with a glucose solution she started a dedicated feeding schedule following closely to her diet in the wild and nocturnal activities.
Carly took the owl home and named her Luna.
Carly had some very long days ahead! Luna had a productive appointment with Carly’s veterinarian, as she wanted to delve deeper into the trauma sustained on her right wing!
It was good to know Luna was in the very best of hands.
Heres a photo taken on Carly’s phone of her with Luna. Carly fed her meds, pain relief and hydrated her. Slowly Luna became more alert and Carly booked her an Xray for her wing.
Carly sent me lots of updates and kept me informed and updated with gorgeous voice notes, messages and pictures.
I knew when she she came round, what she was eating, when she was getting more active and when she was put into an aviary and how much a joy Carly found her work.
One of the many beautiful videos and pictures of Luna that Carly sent me 💕
Release day - Gorgeous Luna the Tawny Owl
Here is Luna looking amazing as she is bought back to us so we could be part of her release and so that Luna the Tawny Owl could be back where she belongs. I am so grateful to Carly and her friend who drove the five hour round trip to release Luna back here.
Carly Ahlen is so passionate in all that she does. Here she is returning Luna back to the very spot that she was found.
Carly absolutely warms your heart and inspires us so much.
Another photo from the enchanting day, when Luna a Tawny owl nursed back to full flight by Carly will finally transcend back into her wooded kingdom behind them here.
”A 5 hour drive in total, this is the best part of my voluntary work and it’s always an incredible sight to see an animal that would otherwise have died free to live life once again.”
The very moment Luna the owl eagerly descended back into her kingdom and the dusken fall... 🍂 can be seen in our video which I will add soon.
The release
Carly who saved the life of a wild animal in urgent need, nursed her back to health and then opened her protective palms is a sacrament of freedom and grace.
Bringing a community together
Purley on Thames already have a wonderful community where we all help each other as much as possible. As you can see from the first picture how locals out walking immediately had to help. This community not only came together at the rescue and but also just before release too.
Carly and her wonderful friend had arrived a little too early in Purley as we needed to wait for dusk for the release so after working out where would be the best place for the release we went to The Mad Duck cafe to warm up and to wait for the sun to go down.
We all wanted to buy each other the drinks as were grateful in each others parts in saving the owl but in the end Carly's friend insisted in paying however what I did not know is that Mandy and Donna the owners at the mad duck were so fond of the owl that they insisted on paying. It made me smile when Carly’s friend left the money on the table for them.
Got to love how this owl bought out the best in everyone and also bought everyone together. So proud of our local cafe who are the hub of the village have supported everyone in these past couple of years.
Whilst chatting to the local paper when they rang for me a quote they also said how it is not uncommon for a saved animal to bring a village together.
Luna is in the local news
Luna's story: The fishing line is meant to catch fish, not owls!
Thousands of birds are injured or killed each year when they become tangled in man-made materials, like fishing lines! Carly nursed Luna back to health and finally freedom, but sadly not all are saved!
Please share this post and article to raise awareness about the harm caused by carelessly discarded fishing tackle.
Luna’s rescue also features in other local papers too and on Gabo’s wildlife page.
I really hope this story makes a difference in preventing other animals from similar ordeals and I also hope that it highlights the selfless work of Carly and others like her who are making this world a better place.
Find out more about Carly of Gabo Wildlife
Gabo Wildlife is completely dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, distressed and orphaned wildlife in UK.
Carly actively supports and works hand in hand with small non profit organisations(not philanthrocapitalism) and supports injured wildlife with the aim of releasing them back to the wild or to find enriched species appropriate sanctuaries for them to live.
Gabo Wildlife is an active campaigner against blood sports such a fox hunting and has held successful campaigns against canned hunting in South Africa.
Gabo Wildlife is entirely self funded by our founder in her plight to help wildlife and animals in need, she hopes to bring wildlife into the hearts of you all. Making sure there’s a positive relationship between humanity and nature, rather than constantly behaving as if we are enemies.
Carly has taught me so much in her short time in my life. I believe we were meant to meet in 2022. 💕
To have your heart warmed, to be inspired and also to learn more please do follow, Gabo Wildlife and Carly on linkedin.