Forestry workers felling trees in the central North Island found a nest containing two eggs. Recognizing a Morepork (New Zealand Owl) nest they passed it on to conservation officers. The precious eggs were raced to Wingspan, Rotorua's famous bird sanctuary where they were incubated and watched over with a great deal of love and care.

From the two eggs only one hatched and Baby Whisper entered the world. He was welcomed by a television news crew recording the memorable event. Whisper was the first Morepork to be hatched in captivity for over twenty years. Upon hatching Morepork chicks instinctively fluff up their feathers almost doubling their true size.

Wingspan invited Internationally recognized sculptor, Mike Norris, to commemorate the baby owl's birth by creating a limited edition bronze of Whisper. In this work he brilliantly captures the vulnerability and personality of his subject.