Owls go skateboarding

The unlikely activity began by chance

The extraordinary spectacle of owls on skateboards is causing visitors to a West Midlands bird sanctuary to rub their eyes in disbelief.

The unusual pastime began one day at the Independent Midlands Birds of Prey Rescue Centre in Norton, Stourbridge, when one of the daredevil creatures leapt on a child's skateboard.

What began as a chance event soon became a serious business, with handmade ramps and customised skateboards being made for the owls.

Chris Jones from the sanctuary said the birds appear to be very happy with their hobby.

"I don't know what happens as they're going down in their minds, but they seem to love it.

"We don't actually train them to do what you actually see, we just have to play with them doing whatever they want to do."

The owls may be steady on their talons as they speed down the sanctuary's ramps, but they have some way to go to match the achievements of the world's most successful skateboarder - Tony Hawk.