A RAPTOR and reptile centre tourist attraction which rose from the wreckage of a troubled New Forest owl sanctuary is still working behind the scenes to help injured birds of prey return to the wild.

Despite its change of name and ethos the Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre which opened in Ringwood earlier this year continues to receive a steady flow of injured birds brought in from a wide area.

Since taking over the Crow Lane premises at Ringwood nearly two years ago, falconer Giles Talbot has rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 100 owls, hawks and other birds of prey.

Mr Talbot said: "We are not an animal sanctuary. If people find small bird or animals they should contact the RSPCA, but if it is a raptor we will try to rehabilitate it where we can."

Some birds are too ill to survive and have to be put down but by working closely with the local Cedar veterinary practice Mr Talbot and his Liberty's staff manage to save around 70 per cent of their injured intake.

After initial treatment the birds are kept in seclusion aviaries away from the public gaze, where apart from being fed once a day until fully recovered they have no human contact.

Mr Talbot said: "Some people find a barn owl by the side of the road and take it home but the danger is if they get used to being around people.

"Owls especially are very territorial. If they are moved it imprints very quickly and they will not be able to go back to the wild.

"Here they are not handled, they are not put on view and they go back to where they came from," Mr Tabot added. The latest restored bird of prey to fly the Liberty's coop was a female sparrowhawk found in a garden at Ringwood and released at the weekend.

First published: August 22