Shoppers concerned over ‘feathered friend’ inside Bunnings store
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 18
When you think of Bunnings Warehouse, you might think of the aisles of home improvement treasures and the friendly staff in red shirts and green aprons.
It's a place where DIY dreams come true and weekend projects are born.
However, a recent incident at the Tarneit store in Melbourne's west has added an unexpected twist to the usual Bunnings narrative.
A concerned customer recently spotted a barn owl flapping above their heads, trapped within the vast expanse of the store's roof.
The owl, seemingly unable to find an exit, has become a concern and curiosity among shoppers and staff alike.
Staff at the Tarneit Bunnings are monitoring the situation closely and are in discussions with multiple wildlife organisations to ensure the safe rescue and relocation of the owl.
This isn't the first time a bird of prey has found itself lost in a warehouse, and according to one rescuer, it's a more common occurrence than one might think.
Nigel Williamson, a wildlife rescuer with 38 years of experience, has removed 'dozens' of owls from warehouses.
‘When the ravens are nesting and they've got eggs and chicks in their nest, the owls like to come along and pinch them,’ he explained.
‘When a raven spots an owl in a tree anywhere near its nest, it will then start chasing it, and the barn owls go into the warehouse for safety.’
The rescue of these disoriented birds can be quite a challenge.
Options range from waiting for the owl to find its way out to using an elevated platform and a large net or even removing a section of the roof to provide an escape route.
However, Williamson suggested a more proactive approach.
‘They could implement a design into the roof area which they could open up a section and all these birds could get out quite easily,’ he said.
Bunnings has confirmed that their staff are keeping a 'close eye' on their feathered visitor and are working with local animal welfare groups to ensure a safe relocation.
‘The team in our Tarneit store has been joined by a feathered friend that’s made its way into the store in recent days. They’re engaging with local animal welfare groups to ensure the owl can be safely relocated,’ a Bunnings spokesperson said.
Speaking of wildlife, another Bunnings store experienced the same incident, causing a scene to many.
In a previous story, a nearly metre-long red-bellied black snake, a venomous species native to Australia, was found nestled among the pallets of plant soil inside a Bunnings store. You can read more about the story here.
Have you ever encountered an animal lurking or trapped at your local store or home? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
It's a place where DIY dreams come true and weekend projects are born.
However, a recent incident at the Tarneit store in Melbourne's west has added an unexpected twist to the usual Bunnings narrative.
A concerned customer recently spotted a barn owl flapping above their heads, trapped within the vast expanse of the store's roof.
The owl, seemingly unable to find an exit, has become a concern and curiosity among shoppers and staff alike.
Staff at the Tarneit Bunnings are monitoring the situation closely and are in discussions with multiple wildlife organisations to ensure the safe rescue and relocation of the owl.
This isn't the first time a bird of prey has found itself lost in a warehouse, and according to one rescuer, it's a more common occurrence than one might think.
Nigel Williamson, a wildlife rescuer with 38 years of experience, has removed 'dozens' of owls from warehouses.
‘When the ravens are nesting and they've got eggs and chicks in their nest, the owls like to come along and pinch them,’ he explained.
‘When a raven spots an owl in a tree anywhere near its nest, it will then start chasing it, and the barn owls go into the warehouse for safety.’
The rescue of these disoriented birds can be quite a challenge.
Options range from waiting for the owl to find its way out to using an elevated platform and a large net or even removing a section of the roof to provide an escape route.
However, Williamson suggested a more proactive approach.
‘They could implement a design into the roof area which they could open up a section and all these birds could get out quite easily,’ he said.
Bunnings has confirmed that their staff are keeping a 'close eye' on their feathered visitor and are working with local animal welfare groups to ensure a safe relocation.
‘The team in our Tarneit store has been joined by a feathered friend that’s made its way into the store in recent days. They’re engaging with local animal welfare groups to ensure the owl can be safely relocated,’ a Bunnings spokesperson said.
Speaking of wildlife, another Bunnings store experienced the same incident, causing a scene to many.
In a previous story, a nearly metre-long red-bellied black snake, a venomous species native to Australia, was found nestled among the pallets of plant soil inside a Bunnings store. You can read more about the story here.
Key Takeaways
- A barn owl was spotted flapping inside the Bunnings Tarneit store in Melbourne's west, causing concern for its welfare among shoppers and staff.
- The owl is currently stuck in the store, with efforts underway to safely rescue and relocate the bird by engaging with wildlife organisations.
- Rescuer Nigel Williamson suggested that Bunnings could incorporate a specific design into their roof to allow trapped birds to escape more easily in the future.
- Bunnings has confirmed that staff are closely monitoring the barn owl and are working with animal welfare groups to facilitate its safe relocation.