BORIS the famous Siberian Eagle Owl whose love life was in tatters because he was going blind has become the proud father of twins.

Boris, 25, made headlines around the world after undergoing a sight saving operation in Herefordshire. Thanks to that, Boris recently set up a love nest with Pushkin, a young female from Moscow.

Their hearts were all of a-flutter as they were introduced. They swiftly got down to the serious business of bonding, breeding and hatching plans for the future.

Twin chicks are now thriving. Bird lovers from all over the world are being kept updated on the family's progress via an owl sanctuary website.

Boris, who has six-foot wing span and is one of just a few of his species in captivity, became a media star in Herefordshire in 1999.

Rolf Harris and assorted TV crews descended on an animal eye clinic at Eye, near Leominster when vet Paul Evans performed a two and a half hour operation to remove cataracts from the owl's eyes. Boris was put under general anaesthetic for the operation - a world first.

Prior to the treatment Boris was due to be humanely destroyed because his condition was so poor.

Courtship

But the successful operation in the quiet Herefordshire hamlet made Boris, now 25, a star according to his keeper Tom Screech (his real name!)

Tom, who runs the Screech Owl Sanctuary at St Columb, Cornwall, said: "Boris became a very famous bird - people all over the world want to know how he is doing."

Boris is doing all right - especially with 'the birds' - thanks to that operation, says Tom.

Paul Evans who has kept in touch with his patient's progress explains how an owl's courtship ritual depends on the male seeing the female's plumage to "set his hormones racing."

Soon after his vision was restored Boris spied a young female called Nadia. He made all the right moves and creating 'scrape' or nesting place.

Boris went off the boil and eventually his attention strayed elsewhere. He went crazy when another young female, Puskin, formerly of Moscow Zoo - moved in further along the 'terrace' at the sanctuary. The pair were introduced and it was love at first sight.

Pushkin, just five and thus able to breed, has become a first-time mother. Her chicks, now eight weeks old, are growing rapidly on a raw meat diet.