'Extremely Obese' Owl Released Back Into Wild After Being Too Fat to Fly

As it is unusual for wild birds to be in this condition, the sanctuary's falconers decided to monitor her for a few weeks

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images (File)

Even birds of prey may have trouble losing those post-holiday pounds.

A British wildlife charity has said that an owl that was found in a ditch in early January and initially thought to have been injured turned out to be “simply extremely obese,” according to NBC News.

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary in eastern England told NBC News on Thursday that the sopping wet “little owl” (Athene noctua) was brought in by a member of the public in early January. When staff examined and weighed the bird, she was “a rather chunky” 245 grams, according to the group’s social media.

This is roughly a third heavier than a large healthy female little owl. The extra weight meant she was unable to fly properly due to the fatty deposits.

As it is unusual for wild birds to be in this condition, the sanctuary's falconers decided to monitor her for a few weeks to see why she had put on weight.

Read more at NBC News.com.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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