Tragic twist after Bunnings shopper makes ‘sad’ discovery in roof
A barn owl stuck in the roof of a Bunnings store for nine days sadly died from starvation after finally being rescued.
Video transcript
A barn owl stuck in the roof of a Bunnings store for nine days sadly died from starvation after finally being rescued, rescuer Nigel Williamson was called to the Bunnings store in Melbourne's west after the bird was spotted by a concerned shopper.
However, when he arrived, he was told he would need to wait until the store had closed to use the scissor lift operator to reach the bird due to safety concerns, Williamson told Yahoo News Australia.
It was frustrating.
Time is crucial.
When the owl was eventually caught, Williamson quickly discovered that it was less than 50% of its average body weight and it was rushed to an emergency vet.
Within 45 minutes of Williamson's arrival, the owl died from starvation, the rescuer explained.
The environment it was left in did not have sufficient food sources to keep the bird alive, he said.
A bird has got to eat a third of its body weight every day to survive, So three days for a bird with no food or water is compromised already and this one had been there for nine days.
Wildlife Victoria claims it told Bunnings to put out food.
However, Bunnings denies this.
It is also understood Bunnings had attempted to reach wildlife experts to help rescue the bird.
But due to availability, Noone attended the store until Williamson was contacted.
Williamson said.
The message I want to get out there is that if you have a bird in a building, it's imperative that you get it out as quickly and as soon as possible for the birds welfare.
