‘Short age-related illness’: Wye Marsh community mourns loss of their dearest barn owl Casper

Casper the barn owl, home to the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland, Ont. (Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre)

Members of the Wye Marsh Wildlife community are mourning the loss of their dearest barn owl, Casper.

Casper has defied all odds by living much longer than many wild barn owls. The centre reports that the average lifespan for his species ranges from two to eight years, yet he reached the remarkable age of 19.

“After a very short age-related illness, he passed away peacefully,” the Wye Marsh Wildlife team shared in a social media post last week.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to our veterinarian, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and volunteers who went above and beyond to provide Casper with the best possible care throughout his many years,” the team continued.

Members of the not-for-profit say they wish he could have lived a complete life in the wild. “Our care can never compete with what Mother Nature has to offer, and we hope to continue to educate people about the importance of environmental stewardship and wildlife protection,” they said.

Its a tough time for many in the Midland area.

“Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. Fly high, Casper,” the Wye marsh team concluded.

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a charitable organization with 3,000 acres of National Wildlife Area and Provincially Significant Wetlands and woodlands in Tay, Ontario, in the heart of Georgian Bay.