Study Buddy (Explorer): Injured Hong Kong owl flies again after being given ‘glued-on’ feathers
- When this bird was discovered in June 2021, most of its flight feathers were missing, and X-rays revealed a fractured shoulder bone
- Each week, this page presents an interesting story that we have adjusted to be more accessible for all English learners
A male Eurasian eagle-owl spent almost two years recovering at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in Tai Po. Photo: HandoutContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-10 below:
[1] In January, a large owl was released into the wild. The bird had unique deep orange eyes and an impressive two-metre wingspan. Rescuers at a Hong Kong conservation centre could not help but feel emotional when the owl left.
[2] The male Eurasian eagle-owl had spent almost two years recovering at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in Tai Po. After it was discovered in June 2021 with most of its flight feathers missing, X-rays also revealed a fractured shoulder bone. The owl needed time to recover and regrow vital plumage.
[3] The Eurasian eagle-owl is the world’s largest species of owl and can grow up to 75cm tall, and it is one of nine species native to Hong Kong. They are also called Bubo bubo because of the booming “bu-oh-oh” sound they make.
[4] The injured bird needed some new feathers, so KFBG came to the rescue. In December 2022, the centre’s senior vet, Alex Grioni, carried out imping treatment, a method of repairing damaged feathers by joining a donor feather to the shaft of a broken feather using a dowel and glue.
[5] The repaired feather eventually “moults out” as normal, and a new feather replaces it. It is a delicate procedure according to Bibi Wan, KFBG’s assistant conservation officer. “Imping requires donor feathers to perfectly match the recipient’s, both by species and feather location on the wing, and must be done with great care,” Wan explained.
[6] “This bird was lucky because we had a set of feathers that were exactly suitable for it,” said the conservation officer, adding that the donated feathers came from the carcass of another adult eagle-owl.
[7] The injured bird was also lucky that the quick-thinking passer-by who discovered it knew what to do. Wan recalled: “The person helped in the correct way, seeking help from a proper wildlife rescue related organisation.” In this case, it was the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Seeking professional help is one of the most important steps as the bird’s injury can worsen if it is not handled properly,” she said.
[8] During its stay at the centre, the bird received the five-star feathered treatment, which meant minimum handling. “We only handled the bird when it was necessary. For example, feeding, enclosure cleaning and weight checking,” Wan explained.
[9] Enclosure design was also taken into consideration: “It was kept in an enclosure that would not allow direct eye contact with humans,” Wan said. She added that the goal was to release animals back into the wild, not keep them. Wild animals might look “cute and fluffy”, but they are wild animals and not pets, she stressed.
[10] “Do not pass the animal to a non-licensed party or try to help or keep it,” she said. “An injured or sick animal needs a proper wildlife rehabilitator and professional veterinary care.”
Source: South China Morning Post, February 11
Questions
1. Paragraph 1 describes how the owl was ...
A. returned to its natural habitat.
B. adopted by a conservation centre.
C. revived by vets.
D. rescued by an animal charity.
2. List TWO physical characteristics of the bird mentioned in paragraph 1. (2 marks)
3. Find TWO words in paragraph 2 that have similar meanings. (2 marks)
4. Decide whether the following statements about the injured male Eurasian eagle-owl are True, False, or the information is Not Given in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) It was attacked by a cat.
(ii) It recovered from its injury within weeks.
(iii) One of its body parts was broken.
(iv) Someone found the injured owl hiding at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.
5. According to paragraphs 4 and 5, imping treatment refers to ...
A. a method of trimming a bird’s feather down to its shaft.
B. the practice of replacing a bird’s broken feathers with those of another bird.
C. a way of glueing two parts of a bird’s feather together.
D. none of the above
6. According to paragraph 5, explain why imping cannot be used to help every bird that has lost its feathers.
7. What happened to the donor bird mentioned in paragraph 6?
8. What does the “proper wildlife rescue related organisation” in paragraph 7 refer to?
9. What was unique about the enclosure that the owl was kept in?
10. What does Wan advise the public to do when they encounter injured or sick animals according to paragraph 10?
Answers
1. A
2. deep orange eyes; two-metre wingspan
3. feathers; plumage
4. (i) NG; (ii) F; (iii) T; (i) NG
5. B
6. It is because the donor feathers need to perfectly match the recipient’s, both by species and feather location on the wing.
7. It died.
8. the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
9. It was designed so that the owl was unable to have direct eye contact with humans.
10. She advised people to bring the animals to a proper wildlife rehabilitator or vet.