In 2022 (January 5th), a Kaohsiung resident discovered an injured individual of the Collared Scops Owl, classified as a first-level endangered conservation species, in a field. Upon clear observation revealing its inability to fly properly and the need for rescue, the case was handed over to Secretary-General Wu Chun-Yi of the “Taiwan Bird Rescue Association.” The owl was then promptly transferred to the Wildlife Rescue Center of our university for treatment. Dr. Duan Yun-Jie and Dr. Yin Yan-Ling, veterinarians at the Wildlife Rescue Center, collaborated to provide medical care for this cute Collared Scops Owl with an apple-like face.
The injured individual, belonging to the first-level conservation raptor species in Taiwan, the Collared Scops Owl, suffered a closed fracture of the distal ulna in the right wing. After surgical fixation and a thorough health examination, the vital signs stabilized, initiating its recovery and flight training period. Typically, rehabilitation treatment for injured wings in wild raptors requires over a month. Recently, the veterinarians performed the latest “X-ray examination” and “laser treatment,” showing apparent bone healing. It is expected that the bandage can be removed in one to two weeks, leading to the next stage of flight training, allowing the owl to return to the forest and soar once again.
The Collared Scops Owl, a nocturnal raptor, is now one of the remaining fewer than 500 individuals in Taiwan. It has a medium-sized body, measuring approximately 38 to 42 centimeters in length. Being nocturnal, it rarely appears during the day, often preying on small animals in the mountains and forests. Due to continuous human disturbances, such as “agricultural development” and “pesticide poisoning,” causing repeated interference with its habitats, the population of the Collared Scops Owl has been gradually declining. Presently, it is classified as an endangered species (alongside the Leopard Cat and Formosan Black Bear). There is hope that establishing mechanisms for “ecofriendly” and “wildlife protection zones” will allow Taiwan’s precious species to continue inhabiting safely.
