Owl with clipped wings dies despite days of rescue efforts in Ho Chi Minh City

A team of forest rangers from the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department said on Friday that the owl had died after being transferred from a veterinary clinic in Tan Binh Ward on October 18.

When receiving the bird for care, the team identified it as a Tyto alba, commonly known as a barn owl, weighing approximately 0.7kg. The species is listed in Group IIB of Vietnam's list of endangered, precious and rare forest plants and animals.

The bird had its wing feathers clipped and sustained injuries to both wings.

The municipal forest rangers arranged an isolation area, provided care, tried different types of food and hand-fed the owl.

However, despite several days of care, the bird failed to recover due to its poor physical condition, stress and refusal to eat.

The team will coordinate with relevant agencies to dispose of its body in accordance with regulations.

Veterinarian Le Thi Hung said her clinic, Le Hung Veterinary Clinic in Tan Binh Ward, received the owl on October 13 from Tran Uyen Nhu.

At the time, the bird had clipped feathers on both wings, bleeding wounds, diarrhea and a loss of appetite. It moved very little, appeared weak and kept its eyes half-closed.

The clinic provided medical treatment and daily care, including hand-feeding.

Nhu said she had previously received information about an owl with clipped wing feathers that was unable to fly and had been spotted for around three days in an alley off Le Van Sy Street in Tan Son Hoa Ward.

At around 10:00 pm on October 13, she and her husband took the bird to the veterinary clinic for a health check and treatment.

She urged people not to regard barn owls as creatures that bring bad luck. Instead, she encouraged them to help the birds appropriately when they encounter one in distress, rather than mistreating them, clipping their wings and abandoning them on the streets.