Tasmanian owl release a hoot for rescuers

Rescuers have had a hoot looking after an endangered Tasmanian masked owl but the time has come for the bird to spread its wings and be released into the wild.

The owl was taken to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary outside of Hobart after it had been hit by a car in late January.

The owl, nicknamed Marlon, underwent surgery to fix a broken wing and vets at the sanctuary were able to pin the bone back in place.

Marlon had to stay in post-operative rehab for three weeks until the fracture healed and the pin could be removed.

But after the pin was removed the owl had to undergo flight fitness training so he could be released back into the wild.

The owl has recovered and underwent training at the Raptor Refuge to help him build up strength to survive back into the wild.

The raptor is due to be released back into the wild on Friday evening.

Tasmanian masked owl's are an endangered species and there are only 500 breeding pairs left in the wild. The species pair for life.