Meet Casper, the Single Owl Mom Who Has Raised More Than 500 Orphaned Babies

May 11, 2026

For the past 26 years, one remarkable owl in British Columbia has been quietly helping raise hundreds of orphaned babies and giving them a second chance at life in the wild.

Casper / OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Casper, a great horned owl living at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, has become something of a legend at the wildlife rehabilitation center after fostering more than 500 rescued owlets since 1999.

And according to staff, she’s still going strong.

Casper first arrived at the center after suffering injuries that made it impossible for her to survive on her own in the wild. While she could no longer be released, the team soon discovered she had a very special gift: she was a natural foster mom.

Since then, she has helped teach generations of rescued baby owls the skills they need before returning to nature.

Right now, she’s caring for four more owlets.

Casper and her foster babies / OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Staff say Casper plays a critical role in preparing the babies for survival.

The young owls learn by watching her fly, hunt, and react to the world around them.

“They look up to her, they follow her, they mimic her,” said Rob Hope, manager of the rehabilitation society, in an interview with CBC.

A baby great horned owl / Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Hope explained that Casper helps teach important behaviors like catching prey and staying wary of humans, lessons that can make all the difference once the birds are released into the wild.

“That’s what we want so that when those babies are in the wild, we know that they’ve got a good chance of survival,” he said.

Over the years, Casper has become far more than a rescue animal. She’s become a trusted teacher, protector, and stand-in mother to hundreds of vulnerable baby owls who otherwise might not have made it.

Casper / OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

“She’s our trusted mom for the last 26 years,” Hope said, “and hopefully she gets another 26 years.”

Honestly, it’s hard not to love a story like this. One injured owl who couldn’t return to the wild ended up dedicating her life to helping hundreds of others get there instead.