‘Hootie Patootie ‘the Boobook Owl was found by a kind Member of The Public (MoP) Katrina, when she was on her way to work one morning.  She had pulled over to admire the handsome looking bird that she thought was feeding on the ground near the road. When Katrina looked at Hootie for a while, she could see that he was potentially injured. She jumped out of the car with her jumper, and scooped him up, carefully transporting him to her work. He spent the morning in a box in a dark room until wildlife rescuer Melissa could arrive to collect him. 

Hootie spent a few days in rehab with Jen, just to make sure there were no head injuries or concussions, and then he was cleared to be released. Melissa met Katrina back at the original location in Skipton and together they released Hootie Patootie. 

It is a wonderful moment when wildlife are returned fit and healthy back to the wild where they belong. It is crucial that the exact location is recorded (GPS co-ordinates are excellent) so the animal can be returned to the same location. Some animals have to be released within meters of where they were found, in case they have young nearby. 

Remember if you find distressed or injured wildlife, please contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300, 7 days a week.