When rescuers were called to rescue a “little owl”, they did not expect to find one that was too fat to fly. A concerned citizen first spotted the poor bird lying helplessly. Even Rufus Samkin, whose team then took the team in on Jan.3, believed the bird to be injured. There were no wounds to be found, however, causing experts to believe the female owl was simply too wet to fly.

But it was only after a thorough drying-off and complete checkup that they noted the real issue. The rescuers weighed the owl and concluded that she was “simply extremely obese” and couldn’t take off. This additional weight left her unable to fly, though experts began to wonder how she got so fat in the first place. Because it’s rather unusual for wild birds to reach such a state, they decided to keep her a few weeks and monitor her.

In the end, the rescuers assessed that it was simply a case of “natural obesity”. December 2019 was quite warm, which meant that there were many insects for the bird to feast upon. Indeed, the owl was discovered in a field that was “filled with field mice” due to the usual climate. “It’s been very mild here, and the owl is able to find foods easily,” Samkin explained. With the sudden food, “she absolutely ate much and got very fat. She had a lovely time, but went too far.”

The researchers consequently put the owl on a “strict diet” so she could shrink to a more “natural weight”. She was even put on a bit of exercise and encouraged to fly around. In the end, the bird was sent flying gracefully off into the British countryside at a much healthier and happier weight. Hopefully, this owl won’t come upon another feast of field mice—unless she wants another few weeks at the fat camp.

【小题1】What did people think happened to the owl at first?

A．She was hurt.	B．She was trapped.
C．She was hungry.	D．She was wet.

【小题2】Why was the bird unable to fly?

A．She needed a thorough checkup.	B．She should be given a drying-off.
C．She was completed overweight.	D．She was simply extremely strong.

【小题3】What made the owl have enough foods?

A．The especially warm weather.	B．The reducing number of insects.
C．The rich fields growing crops.	D．The lovely time the bird enjoyed.

【小题4】How did the owl lose its weight?

A．Going on a diet and exercising.	B．Flying in the British countryside.
C．Visiting that fat camp again.	D．Enjoying her wonderful feast freely.