Once-starving snowy owls return to the wild

Extended: Snowy owls fly free at Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation released two rescued snowy owls at Oak Hammock Marsh on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015.

Wings flew free Friday as two snowy owls were released back into the wild.

The two owls were freed at Oak Hammock Marsh Friday after staff from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre nursed the owls back to health.

This fall, the centre was asked to care for 15 starving snowy owls.

They came from all over Manitoba, including the The Pas and Winnipeg. Only six of the snowy owls survived.

"When owls are starving, they have to be rehydrated first, because digestion takes up so much fluid in the system of the animal," said Steve Loney, a volunteer with the centre. "So they rehydrated the birds, and then they get them on to a diet, and rest and monitor their weight from there."

The two snowy owls released Friday came from Selkirk and Swan River.

It takes about a month for starving owls to regain their strength for life in the wilderness.

Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre told CTV in November food supply for snowy owls in the north has been scarce.