An early Christmas present for a feisty little bird.
Hamilton Police and Wildcare are celebrating the release of a rare morepork back into the wild.
Nicknamed Lil Box, the native owl was rescued during a severe storm last month in Chartwell, scooped up by Senior Constable Richard Collier.
The police officer joked the bird was carrying a bit of Christmas weight, when he released his feathery friend into bush today.
Wildcare, responsible for the morepork's rehab, says he was feisty but fed well, dining on a diet of beef, supplements, and euthanised mice.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you