A young Morepork Owl is ready to return to the wild after being cared for by the veterinary hospital, Nest Te Kōhanga, in New Zealand's Wellington Zoo since December.
The owl has gotten his adult feathers, but his introduction to the world will be slow. For two weeks, the owl will live in an outdoor aviary at a sanctuary in New Zealand, according to ZooBorns. The owl will practice his hunting skills by catching the moths that are attracted to a lamp hanging outside the aviary. After the two weeks of practice is over, the aviary door will be opened. The owl can fly away or return if he needs food.
Morepork Owls are only found in New Zealand and Tasmania. They are New Zealand's only surviving native owls. The owls are called "Ruru" by the Maōri, an indigenous tribe in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and "Boobook" by the Australians. The names invoke the sounds the owls make. Morepork Owls live in the forests and eat large invertebrates such as caterpillars, beetles and moths, according to ZooBorns. They will sometimes visit city parks.
