Fire crews rescue owl trapped in wood-burning stove in Aberdeen with help from Scottish SPCA

Fire crews rescued an owl stuck in a wood-burning stove in Aberdeen.

The Scottish SPCA was alerted to the trapped bird by a member of the public at an address in Macaulay Park on October 10.

The charity’s animal rescue officer, Lynn Cruickshank, said that at first, all she could see were the bird’s feet and some feathers sticking out of the flue.

“I managed to get hold of the bird and get them out of the flue but I couldn’t get them past the damper at the top of the stove,” she said. “I then realised the bird was a tawny owl and too big to fit!”

They initially thought it was a hawk, but the massive tawny owl was too big to fit. Scottish SPCA

“With the member of the public’s permission and the help of their friend, we started to take parts off the stove to see if we could free the owl.”

After a while of attempting to free the bird, Ms Cruickshank called the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for help, however they also struggled to get the owl out as well.

“Eventually it was agreed that we could break the seal around the stove and flue and remove the stove to free the owl,” she said.

Fire crews also assisted with the rescue mission. Scottish SPCA

“We’re so grateful to the member of the public for being so understanding and helpful.”

“It was also fantastic to have assistance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to allow us to complete the rescue successfully.

“Thankfully the owl was unharmed from their adventure. The bird was checked over and given some food and water. They were then released back in to the wild none the worse for wear!”

It was eventually freed and none the worse for wear. Scottish SPCA

Watch commander Dennis Chalmers, based at North Anderson Drive Community Fire Station in Aberdeen, said: “We were pleased to be able to help this magnificent bird and it’s great to know that it’s now back in the wild.

“As a humanitarian organisation our highly skilled crews answer a wide range of calls to help animals in distress across the country, often working with partners such as the Scottish SPCA.

“Our support can prevent members of the public putting themselves in danger by attempting to do their own rescue.”

Anyone who finds an injured animal, or an animal in distress is asked to call the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline on 03000 999 999.