'Tiny' heads home

Photo: Contributed

Tiny about to be released back into the wild

A month ago, the very small Northern Pygmy Owl named Tiny asked for the public’s help with his rehabilitation.

Today, Tiny is thanking the donors who paid for his ‘room and board’ at the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO), as he is being released back into the wild alongside his brother Teeny.

Ray Putnam with SORCO, says the two owls were nursed back to health and are now able to join their Raptor family in the wild.

Putnam also shares more good news that the recently hacked SORCO website is now up and running.

“It is still a work in progress, but the main functions are operational and we encourage you to visit us online.”

SORCO Board Chair Dave Whitton, Board member Gary Doi, web designers Karen Somerville and Lauren Meads launched the new site on November 19.

Whitton says if someone comes across an injured or orphaned raptor like an eagle, hawk or owl, they will have instant access to information about what to do.

“The site is packed with interesting videos, photos, stories and information about the work Lauren Meads and a small army of volunteers do to rehabilitate raptors for eventual release back to the area in which they were found,” explains Whitton. “The site is modern and responsive so that it can also be viewed on handheld devices such as smartphones and iPads.”

SORCO has also had a record breaking year for bird rescues, more than doubling what they did three years ago.

“This is why financial support is so important, every dollar donated is devoted directly to bird care,” explains Putnam.

Putnam suggests a donation to the centre as a special Christmas gift idea, where a tax deduction is included.

“Or if you would like a great photograph of a Northern Pygmy Owl, like Tiny, email me and I can send you a photo,” says Putnam.

For more information on SORCO click here or call  Ray Putnam (250-763-4480 or [email protected])