This project will place transmitters on released owls in order to: provide much needed post-release data to the wildlife medical community, be the first study to offer information on island-dwelling Maine owls, allow data and techniques to be applied to poorly studied, uncommon, or special concern species, and be a pilot project to offer information on the sometimes 50+ owls admitted to CFW in a winter.
With limited funding for wildlife care, there is little to no research done on the survivability of one-eyed owls, which poses many questions to wildlife clinics worldwide on prognosis, how and when to release, and much more. Owls also rely on silent flight and their excellent sense of hearing for hunting and feeding themselves, so is it possible that they can survive without perfect vision? CFW typically admits up to 50 owls in a winter by members of the public hoping we can save them.
Setting out to get some answers CFW has been working with Biodiversity Research Institute, and now has the amazing opportunity to place a safe transmitter on the owl to track location, movement, and survivability after release! This information will offer insight into how long and if owls can survive with eye trauma offering vets and wildlife clinics worldwide about whether one eyed owls would starve to death after release, or be able to survive well regardless of injury.
This project will be the first study to offer information on island-dwelling Maine owls and allow researchers to better understand seasonal habitat use and how to protect them. The data and techniques used and learned in this study will be able to be applied to poorly studied, uncommon, or special concern species. This will provide better tools and education to wildlife managers and the public. This will be a pilot project to offer information on the sometimes 50+ owls admitted to CFW yearly.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
