The large Powerful Owl, which is a threatened species, was picked up by the Wildlife Rescue and Information Network on March with a damaged wing and left eye.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP) Brady Childs said the owl was taken to a vet and then a specialist owl aviary in Maryborough. 

As Mr Childs explained, it was important to quickly release the owl back into the wild as Powerful Owls released beyond 10 days in captivity have less chance of reuniting with their mate and re-claiming their territory. 

The owl was successfully released back into the wild five days later in Axedale where he was found, flying quickly into a nearby Red Gum tree, Mr Childs said.

He urged the public to contact DELWP on 136 186 or wildlife rehabilitation organisations listed on DELWP’s website at www.wildlife.vic.gov.au if they came across a native animal that was orphaned, sick or injured.

The Powerful Owl is the largest of Australia’s owls. It can reach a size of 67 centimetres for males and 58 centimetres for females, has large yellow eyes and has yellow to orange feet with large talons. 

Despite its large body, it has a relatively small head and is dark grey to dark grey brown in colour with white barring.