Mother owl embraces orphaned chicks as her own after finding them in her nest
Orphaned babies in need of a mother have been successfully paired with surrogate mothers, in a beautiful and mutually beneficial relationship.
That was the case recently, after one childless owl was given two orphaned chicks to raise as her own, and she was thrilled to get to be a mother.
Robert Fuller is a wildlife artist and photographer based in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, UK, who helps rehabilitate wildlife. Over the past two years, he’s seen Luna, a tawny owl, struggle to become a mother.
Despite her best efforts, none of her offspring has survived.
“Not only did her eggs fail to hatch this year, but she also lost her clutch last year,” Robert wrote.
The chicks were found on the ground in a local farm after falling to the floor. “Due to their young age, these owl chicks could perish of cold in a short space of time as at this age they should be constantly brooded by their parent,” Robert wrote.
The plan worked remarkably well: a heartwarming video shows the moment Luna finds the owl chicks in her nest, and she seems overjoyed to finally have children to mother.
In an update, Robert said that Luna was “doing a great job” raising the chicks, and has been “so tender” with them. He says it won’t be long until the chicks are too old to brood, but for now they’re in the safe care of their loving mom.
“These owlets have now been living in their new nest for a week and are thriving under Luna’s tender care. It is wonderful to watch her brood the youngsters,” he wrote.