Badly injured owl has been returned to wild

HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaiian owl has been released on Lanai this week after it was found emaciated and badly injured alongside the highway last year.

The pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, had a nine-month recovery process after it was found last November with traumatic head and eye injuries.

The bird was found in Lanai and taken to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, but was it was transferred to Hawaii’s only native bird and bat hospital, Hawaii Wildlife Center on Hawaii Island.

The pueo’s recovery seemed miraculous to some of the people involved in its rescue and treatment.

The bird’s neurological and visual damage was initially so bad that wildlife rehabilitation manager Judi Ellal wasn’t sure it could ever return to the wild.

“It was amazing to witness these deficits reverse where he was able to adapt and improve,” Ellal said. “The victories including being able to eat on his own, fly purposefully in our flight enclosure, aim for the perch and successfully land on it, and focus visually on prey.”

The pueo is Hawaii’s only native owl. The non-native barn owl has been introduced and can be found on the islands.

The pueo is on all main Hawaiian Island, but it is rare and considered endangered on Oahu.

“This incredible success story demonstrates that no matter which island you’re on when you find a sick or injured native bird or bat, we are here to help,” said Hawaii Wildlife Center Director and President Linda Elliot. She said the hospital serves the entire Hawaiian Island chain.