Despite Challenging Year Support Remains Strong For Endangered Owls

By Robert Thomas

The poor economy and avian flu had a limited effect on support for the Saskatchewan Burriwung Owl Interpretive Centre.

Despite the burrowing owls being unable to go outside for a large portion of 2022 due to the avian flu support through adoptions remains strong.

“I think we received a little bit less in renewals. Some people went down from a two year to a one year (adoption). Or a one year (adoption) to a six month. But our regular supporters are pretty loyal and they have been coming back year after year,” Lorrie Johnson coordinator of the Interpretive Centre said.

Not allowing visitors to protect the owls from the fatal avian flu had a minor impact on adoptions.

“It may have hurt us a little bit because visitors who have not been to the (Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive) Centre before will often do an adoption after they have toured the facility,” Johnson said, said “so the fact that the owls weren't out for the first couple of months the Centre is usually open (to the public) probably impacted a little bit but it wasn't a significant impact.”

As part of adopting an owl they receive a free calendar - calendars that are now in short supply.

“We do it basically as more as a thank you to our loyal supporters but we also keep a few copies for individual sales,” she said.

“But yeah it did very well and the people who are religious adopters for one years and two years got a calendar at their renewals and yes it went well.”

To protect the owls from avian flu they remained inside the Centre's headquarters and visitors were not allowed.

The fatal avian flu virus is carried in bird droppings which can be transported on footwear.

The precautions to protect the Centre's owls paid off as none of the birds succumbed to avian flu.

One of the endangered birds contracting the avian flu would have meant the entire flock being put down.

No dead birds suspected of dying from avian flu were found on the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds although there were reports of birds in the city that had.

“We didn’t find any birds ourselves on the Exhibition Grounds but there were birds found elsewhere in the city that may or may not have been positive for avian flu…there were positive tests throughout the province though.”

Despite the impact Johnson felt keeping the owls indoors and protecting them from avian flu was a positive move.

“They (the precautions) saved our owls.”

Being cooped up inside did effect the owls who wanted to be outside.

“They did get a little bit of cabin fever like we do after a long winter. But they handle it quite well they seem to adapt.”

For more information about adopting an owl or purchasing an owl calendar call (306) 692-2723

Editor’s Note - if you want the opportunity to win a FREE owl calendar and live in Moose Jaw drop us a line at moosejawnews@gmail.com.

We will make a draw this coming Friday for the calendar.