A widowed Snowy Owl has found love again this Christmas, following the passing of her long-time companion.
Moose, a seven-year-old owl residing at Birdworld, in Surrey, faced life alone after her partner, Kettle, sadly passed away due to an ongoing illness.
However, the team at Birdworld, determined to find her a match, found twenty-year old Elk, a single male from Yorkshire who had been seeking a mate for years.
After Moose and Elk met, they started to show promising signs of compatibility and it didn’t take long before each saw the other as a hoot and the rest as they say, is history.
Polly Bramham, Living Collections Manager at Birdworld, said Kettle and Moose had a “wonderful” relationship with the keepers constantly “on their toes”.
“Kettle and Moose were together for six years and had a wonderful relationship; they kept the keepers both entertained and on their toes.
“Kettle was a firm favourite among keepers and visitors alike. Never shy, he would sit prominently in his enclosure, giving passersby an intense, yellow-eyed stare. If he spotted his keeper, he’d add a friendly ‘Hoo!’ and head bob. He was an attentive partner, always bringing Moose gifts of food and fiercely protecting her during nesting season,” she said.
The pair even successfully hatched chicks in 2022, as Moose and Kettle learned over the years to build a proper nest and sit through the full incubation period.
Although their chicks didn’t survive, these early attempts were crucial in strengthening their bond and helping Moose mature.
Sadly, Kettle passed away this summer, but Birdworld say his legacy will never be forgotten, honouring his name on the latest attraction at the park in Surrey.
“We’re pleased to pay tribute to Kettle, whose namesake now features in the park’s latest attraction, the Owl Academy, as ‘Professor Kettle,’ guiding children through learning and play.
“Kettle was such a beloved character at Birdworld, and it’s heartwarming to know that his memory will continue to inspire and educate others,” James Robson, General Manager at Birdworld said.
Despite the challenges of life after Kettle, a suitable mate for Moose was important as part of Birdworld’s Snowy Owl breeding programme and the team is “thrilled” to find Moose an “incredibly handsome” match.
“We were thrilled to find the incredibly handsome Elk, who we introduced to Moose as her neighbour before they were finally put in the same enclosure. Partnering new mates can be a nerve-racking experience for keepers, especially when there’s potential for conflict. Fortunately, we were confident Moose and Elk’s laid-back personalities would allow for a smooth introduction.
“They didn’t disappoint – Moose ran up to Elk, nudged his face with hers, and then casually returned to her favourite tree stump to observe from a distance. Elk explored his new home, even settling into Kettle’s old spot, as though stepping right into his shoes,” Polly added.
Time will tell if Moose and Elk’s partnership proves successful, but for Kettle, his memory will live on in a unique way.
“We’re delighted to see Moose beginning a new chapter with Elk,” James Robson, added.