The little tawny owl, covered in a thin plume and with its eyes closed, became one of the most heartwarming stories of the period. At the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which was established by Keren Kayemeth Le-Israel – Jewish National Fund in cooperation with Tel-Hai Academic College, she received dedicated treatment from the staff and volunteers, while taking measures to avoid imprinting – a phenomenon wherein chicks identify the first figure they see as their "mother", which may lead to a lack of fear of humans, impair their ability to hunt and integrate in nature and even make it difficult for them to find a mate from their species.
In order to give the tawny owl the greatest chance to survive in nature, the staff treating it wore camouflage hats and fed it using an adult tawny owl doll, so that it matures with an affinity to its own species and could return and become part of the healthy ecosystem in the future.
The tawny owls were not the only ones who found a safe haven during this season: Dozens of chicks of various species have been received at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – Including birds of prey such as falcons and night owls, alongside many songbirds – which fell from their nests or arrived injured. Every chick receives a precise nutritional menu that is adapted to its biological needs: there are some that feed every 12 minutes throughout the daytime hours, while others require feeding during nighttime hours as well. During the recent period, even during the war with Iran, the staff and volunteers still came by to provide each bird with the precise treatment it required, from fresh meat for the falcon chicks to worms for the swallows – In order to simulate the natural menu, they would receive from their parents in nature, as much as possible.
Photograph: The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Agamon Hula KKL-JNF
"This is the first time that we have received such young tawny owls", says Dr. Rona Nadler Valency – Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, "this is a critical period in her development, the first moments in which she opens her eyes and learns about her world. To see her get stronger, absorb confidence and join other chicks is not only exciting, but it is a reminder of the very purpose for which we are here: to restore life to nature".
Inbar Shlomit Rubin – Field Manager at the Agamon Hula – KKL-JNF: "Agamon Hula is one of the most critical habitats in Israel, the lake is not only a rest stop for migrating birds, but also a safe space for nesting. Unfortunately, the last two years have been challenging for nature as well. The sounds of war and the wildfires caused stress and led to a decline in nesting in the spring of 2024. We are here to preserve the animals, care for them, and wish for peace and quiet that will allow everyone to return home safely".
The Agamon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which was established for the purpose of treating wildlife wounded In the Galilee and Golan Heights and returning it to nature, demonstrates how we can save and rehabilitate even those cases that seem practically lost. The story of the little tawny owl is a testament that professional and determined treatment can give a second chance – not just to her but to the entire ecosystem, which relies upon species such as the tawny owl to maintain balance in nature.