Casper, a great horned owl at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta, has been a devoted foster mother to over 500 owlets in her 26 years there. Known for her strong maternal instincts and aversion to humans, Casper is currently nurturing four fledglings, teaching them essential survival skills like flying, hunting prey, and avoiding human interaction.
The society, which specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating raptors such as eagles, falcons, and owls, rescued Casper in 1999 after she was trapped in Prince George. Despite missing talons that would hinder her hunting abilities in the wild, Casper has excelled in caring for orphaned owlets, displaying a natural nurturing instinct towards them.
Manager Rob Hope praised Casper’s role in guiding the young owlets, emphasizing the importance of her influence on their behavior in the wild. He noted that Casper leads by example, with the fledglings looking up to her, mimicking her actions, and learning crucial survival skills under her guidance.
The society limits human contact with the owlets to allow Casper to take the lead in their upbringing. Hope highlighted the society’s hope for Casper to continue her role for many more years, given that great horned owls can live well into their 30s in captivity. Casper’s dedication to fostering orphaned owlets has been a cornerstone of the society’s efforts in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.
