A chick of the Eurasian eagle owl, a species under second-class state protection in China, was rescued recently by a border police officer in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
While on patrol, the officer spotted the young owl lying helpless under a tree by the roadside. The chick, covered in soft yellowish-brown down, was unable to fly.
Worrying that the little bird might be injured or starved after falling from the tree, the officer gently took it back to the police station. Following guidance from wildlife experts, the chick was fed with water and meat to help it regain strength.
After fully recovered, the young Eurasian eagle owl was successfully released back into the wild.
The Eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest species of owls. It can be found in habitats as diverse as northern coniferous forests to the edge of vast deserts.
Rare baby Eurasian eagle owl rescued in northwest China's Xinjiang
Rare baby Eurasian eagle owl rescued in northwest China's Xinjiang
