'Dead owl' wakes up in car footwell after rescue

The owl was found unconscious and presumed dead on Skelton bypass

A motorist who picked up what he thought was a dead owl to dispose of it got the shock of his life when the creature woke up in his car.

Paul Ovington said he spotted the tawny owl on Skelton bypass in North Yorkshire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The 58-year-old picked up the bird to give it a more dignified final resting place and popped it in his car’s footwell – but was shocked to hear rustling a short time later.

Mr Ovington took the bird home for the night before handing it over to Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary.

The bird is being cared for at a wildlife sanctuary

Mr Ovington, from Skelton, said when he first saw the bird it appeared “lifeless” and had an injured eye.

“I didn’t want it to be run over by cars and I just put it in my footwell,” he said.

After driving for 12 miles (19km) he heard a rustling and was “elated” to find the owl was still alive.

“I realised it had a second chance,” he said.

As he had to go to work, Mr Ovington said he kept the bird warm and fed in his car and checked in with it on his breaks.

He then took it home and made it comfortable in a shelter in his shed before handing it over to the wildlife sanctuary the following day.

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Mr Ovington told BBC Radio York he felt “very good” after helping the creature.

“It belongs back in the wild if it can make it,” he said.

Alexandra Smith, manager at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary, said the bird had a head trauma, but was recovering.

“He’s getting perkier and his injured eye looks better,” Ms Smith said.

“The owl’s appetite could be better so we are hand-feeding him but we are pleased with his progress.”

Ms Smith explained the owl’s luck was in when it was found.

“Tawny and barn owls are often clipped by cars when they swoop low between fields,” she said.

“If a member of the public finds a wildlife casualty in their home, our first advice is to make sure it’s kept somewhere quiet and warm.

“Warmth can really save a life,” she added.

She said it was hoped the owl could be released back into the wild in a few weeks.

“Once he’s better, we’ll assess his flying abilities and hopefully eventually be released in the same place, if it’s safe,” said Ms Smith.