In Delta, the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society is home to Casper, a remarkable great horned owl who has cared for over 500 owlets during her 26-year tenure. Casper’s dedication to her babies is unwavering, earning her the reputation of a strong and independent single mother in the wildlife community. Rob Hope, the society’s manager, describes Casper as having a resilient personality, essential in imparting crucial survival skills to her foster babies.
Currently nurturing four fledglings, Casper imparts vital lessons such as flying, hunting prey, and maintaining a healthy fear of humans. Hope emphasizes the significance of the young owls observing and emulating Casper’s behaviors, ensuring their readiness for the wild. The society specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating various raptors like eagles, falcons, and owls, with Casper joining their ranks in 1999 after being ensnared in a leg-hold trap.
Despite her physical limitations from the past incident, Casper’s nurturing instincts shine through as she cares for the young owlets. Her natural aversion to human contact allows volunteers to take a hands-off approach, letting Casper lead the way in raising the fledglings. Hope expresses optimism for Casper’s future, hoping she continues her role as a trusted mother for years to come. As an adult when she arrived at the society, Casper is estimated to be in her late 20s, with the potential to live well into her 30s, as observed in great horned owls in captivity.
The society plans for the fledglings to remain with Casper for another month before they embark on their independent journeys into the wild, equipped with the necessary skills and instincts instilled by their devoted foster mother.