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Helicopter Airlifts Exhausted Owl from North Sea Oil Rig
12 Oct
Summary
- Owl rescued from Noble Patriot oil rig 180 miles off Shetland coast
- Owl fed raw chicken for 2 days before helicopter airlift to safety
- Owl named "Oli" by oil rig workers, now being cared for at wildlife sanctuary
On October 10th, 2025, a short-eared owl was rescued by helicopter from an offshore oil rig in the North Sea, approximately 180 miles off the coast of Shetland. The owl, which was discovered by workers on the Noble Patriot platform, had been blown off course by the recent Storm Amy and was found in a state of exhaustion and disorientation.
The oil rig staff cared for the bird, feeding it raw chicken for a couple of days, before arranging for it to be airlifted to safety on Friday, October 11th. The owl, affectionately named "Oli" by the workers, was then transported to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary on the Shetland Islands.
At the sanctuary, the short-eared owl was examined by a veterinary nurse and found to be in good health, though rather thin from its ordeal. The bird is now being "fattened up" on a diet of mice and chicks before being released back into the wild where it belongs.
"It has been an incredible experience," said Pete Bevington of the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary. "What a treat for everyone who came into contact with this beautiful creature. Many thanks to everyone involved in this rescue operation."
