Bird centre's £5,000 target to save the sight of Angel the eagle owl
The eight-month-old Turkmenian Eagle Owl called Angel has developed congenital bilateral cataracts in both her eyes and the condition will only get worse as she gets older.
Now Karen Andriunas, owner of the Devon Bird of Prey Centre, says she needs to raise £5,000 for a life-saving operation for Angel.
Karen, who has over 20 years of experience of training and rearing birds, realised very early on that something wasn’t quite right. As Angel was living at home with Karen, as all of the imprints do to start with, she was monitored very closely. Karen noticed Angel wasn’t as responsive as she would have expected her to be and this continued as she grew. Angel was slow to explore her surroundings and was lacking the usual co-ordination skills.
Jim Carter, one of Europe’s top specialists in veterinary ophthalmology, diagnosed Angel’s condition.
Said Karen: “These birds have such amazing presence and personality and can live a long time in captivity. Angel has already captivated everyone that has met her and has formed very strong bonds with my team of handlers. She is currently at our Escot site, near Honiton, where she can be seen in all her glory.
“We are devastated by the diagnosis, but we have been reassured by Mr Carter that her eyesight can be restored if she has an operation to remove the cataracts and replace her lenses. Obviously such specialist procedures are costly so we are looking to raise £5,000 for her operation and ongoing veterinary care.”
Donations can be made by paypal to angelseyesfund@outlook.com or in person at either the Ipplepen or Escot sites. The centre is planning a special event, following Angel’s surgery, for all of
those who have donated to meet her in person and see first hand what the incredible surgery will mean for her.
For further information please contact Karen by email Karen@devonbirdofprey.co.uk or on 07801325070 or via website www.devonbirdofprey.co.uk