In Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise), a national park in eastern Slovakia, a group of cyclists came across a stricken rare owl, the TASR press agency reports. Despite the bird's bedraggled condition, conservationists were able to save it.
Later the Slovak Paradise National Park Administration reported on social networks that it was a long-tailed owl, and had been found with an eye injury near a rest area alongside a popular bike path.
"She was in a pretty poor condition. We took her to the vet's, who, fortunately, did not confirm our concerns about her eye. She is emaciated, and had not been able to hunt for a long time due to her eye inflammation, but otherwise she seems to be fine. She is uninjured, and has no signs of any other malfunctioning body parts," said the park report.
The owl received an injection against parasites and an ointment that the conservationists will regularly apply to her eyes. They believe that it will be possible to fatten the owl up and return it to the wild.
They noted one hopeful sign "This [the bird's presence] indicates the spread of this beautiful owl to other parts of our nature," said the park administration.
Rescue and care for disabled animals is among the lesser-known yet important activities of the national park administration's workers. They respond to reports from anywhere within the entire park area about any protected animal in need of assistance and care.
"We are equipped to provide even long-term, undemanding care; in more complex cases, we collaborate with veterinary doctors," add the conservationists.
Anyone in the park who finds an animal in need of assistance can contact the park administration by telephone on +421 911 485 298; the number can also be found on the park's website: www.npslovenskyraj.sk.
