Rare spotted owl rescued from glue trap in Ahmedabad, shifted to forest hospital

A rare spotted owl was rescued after it got trapped in a gum pad near St Xavier’s High School Loyola in the Memnagar area of Ahmedabad on Wednesday. This incident hightlights the growing threat posed by adhesive traps commonly used to catch rodents in residential neighbourhoods.

The owl, locally known as Chibari, was spotted during daytime, an unusual occurrence for the nocturnal bird, after it got stuck in a gum pad placed in the area. Animal rescuer Vijay Dabhi of Animal Life Care was alerted by residents and rushed to the spot, where the bird was carefully freed from the adhesive trap.

Following the rescue, the owl was shifted to a forest department hospital for further medical treatment and observation, officials said.

Dabhi has appealed to citizens to refrain from using gum pads inside homes and in open areas. “These adhesive traps are meant to catch rats, but many birds fall victim to them. Once stuck, they are unable to free themselves, often go into shock and die,” he said.

Animal welfare groups have urged residents to adopt safer, non-lethal alternatives for pest control and to immediately inform rescue organisations or the forest department if wildlife is found in distress.

Wildlife experts note that the spotted owl is a small and generally harmless species found in parts of Gujarat, identifiable by its large yellow eyes, round face, white spots on the body and grey-brown facial markings. Primarily nocturnal, the bird usually rests in tree hollows or old structures during the day and feeds on insects, lizards, rodents and small birds at night. 

Though once considered a bird of good omen in folklore, the species is now facing threats due to habitat loss and hunting driven by superstitions, conservationists warn. The owl breeds between November and April, typically laying three to four eggs.