Meet Casper The Owl, A 'Natural Mother' To 500 Rescued Babies

Meet Casper, the amazing great horned owl who made headlines as an international news story on CBC News after helping raise hundreds of orphaned owlets at a wildlife rehab center in British Columbia. Since winding up at the facility in 1999 after being caught in a trap, which left her unable to survive in the wild due to the loss of talons, the unlikely foster mom has helped over 500 fledglings learn the skills they need in order to be re-released into the wild.

In the video, we see Casper in her special enclosure at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta, where she has taken all those orphaned owlets under her wing to feed and teach critical skills like flying, catching prey, and being wary of humans. "She's got a little edge to her," laughs one rehab worker in the video, noting that that "edge" gives the babies she fosters the best possible chance at survival. Casper's enduring commitment to the cause proves there's nothing like a mother's love, even in the animal kingdom.

Great horned owls are one of the most prevalent and adaptable birds of prey in North America, living anywhere from forests and wetlands to suburban backyards and city parks. They don't build their own nests, so they often repurpose abandoned nests, roost in trees, or find shelter in artificial structures. Once there, they take up permanent residence, usually staying in the same territory year-round.

While you can often hear them, they can be hard to spot, despite their impressive size. The best time of day to look for them, though, is at dusk, when they wake up and start hunting, and the best season to spot them is winter, when there's less foliage, allowing for a better view.

That said, these owls often wind up at wildlife rehab facilities for various reasons, mainly due to human-caused trauma like poisoning, vehicle collisions, or entanglements. So, if you're ever really itching to see one up close, research nearby wildlife facilities that are open to the public that may have some on display. Can't get enough of owls? Then check out 19 of the cutest owls to ever owl, and this great horned owl that hoots at a golden retriever friend.