A heartwarming story of rescue and recovery unfolded at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRW) when a great horned owl, soaked and entangled in a soccer net, was discovered by a homeowner. Despite the owl's initial freedom, its behavior post-release raised concerns. The RRW team, ever vigilant, sprang into action, capturing the owl and rushing it to their headquarters for a thorough examination. During this routine check-up, a critical discovery was made: a piece of netting still tightly wrapped around the owl's neck. This seemingly minor detail turned out to be a life-threatening issue. The veterinary team swiftly and carefully removed the netting, treated the owl's neck and other wounds, and provided a comfortable habitat for recovery. Weeks later, the owl, now strong and ready, was transferred to a flight cage to regain his flying skills. Finally, the day of release arrived, and the owl's reaction was nothing short of spectacular. He immediately recognized his surroundings and took to the skies with such vigor that he disappeared into the dense trees, a testament to his resilience and the success of the rescue mission. While the incident could have been prevented by proper storage of unused sports netting, the RRW team is proud to have played a crucial role in the owl's recovery, and the sight of him soaring back into his natural habitat made it all worthwhile. To support such wildlife rescue efforts, consider donating to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
