JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series is being blamed for the escalation in the number of owls being abandoned at an animal rescue centre. Flintshire Wildlife and Pet Rescue Centre say that Harry Potter fans have bought owls, only to find they can’t handle them as pets.

There are presently approximately 10 barn and tawny owls at the Holywell-based rescue centre, some of which have been sent in by families who can’t look after them. In the fantasy books, Harry Potter has a magical pet snowy owl called Hedwig. Animal campaigners are advising youngsters that they don’t make good pets and The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says owls can live to an old age, and require space to take flight and hunt. They also need constant attention and are commonly anxious, shy creatures.