Members of the Kalapara team of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali have released a barn owl after it was rescued in Kalapara, Patuakhali. The owl was rescued from Nilganj union of the upazila on the night of Monday (18 March).

The barn owl, known for its long wings, pale heart-shaped face and square tail, has the scientific name Tyto alba; its Bengali name is lokkhi pencha. The report says this bird, a species of owl, weighs 2 kg.

A man named Abul Bashar, 55, rescued the owl from Amirabad village and, after first aid, released it in the same area. Members of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali said this species of owl cannot see during the day.

Abul Bashar said: "In the evening the barn owl got caught in a neighbour's net. I rescued it and brought it home. After first aid, I released it in the presence of members of the Kalapara team of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali. These days barn owls are not seen as often as they used to be."

Bayjid Munshi, a member of the Kalapara team, said the owl had become somewhat ill after being caught in the net, but no injuries were found on its body. "Since it is nocturnal, we released it at night. We, the members of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali, a voluntary animal welfare and environmental organisation, mainly work with wildlife. We have rescued and released quite a few wild animals before, but this is the first time we have rescued and released a barn owl."

Kalapara upazila forest department range officer Monirul Haque Moni said he had heard about the rescue. "Members of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali rescued and released the owl. We in the forest department always cooperate with them," he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.