Sharing our spaces with wildlife is not always as simple as it sounds. The reality is that the human world is not perfectly designed with wildlife in mind. Everyday objects and activities can sometimes create unexpected hazards for the animals that live alongside us. Knowing what those hazards are and, just as importantly, knowing what to do when wildlife needs help can make all the difference.
At the end of August, staff at Erie Day School discovered a female Great Horned Owl entangled in a soccer net. Great Horned Owls often hunt for prey in open fields, and when they are flying at night in pursuit of prey, they may not see soccer nets in their path.
Thankfully, the school staff recognized that the owl was in trouble, knew to contact Tamarack Wildlife Center, and arranged for her admission.
Upon arrival, the owl received a full examination, including X-rays. Fortunately, there were no broken bones or serious injuries to her body. However, hitting a net headfirst at a high rate of speed can cause a concussion, and the owl was showing signs of traumatic brain injury. She would need rest, time, and medication to recover.
During her rehabilitation, she received daily anti- inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. She was an exceptionally spirited patient, showing a strong drive to return to the wild as soon as possible.
Once her course of medication was complete and she demonstrated physical fitness, she received a final pre- release examination. With rehabilitation successful, she was ready to return to her home in the wild.
Incidents like this remind us that sharing our communities with wildlife sometimes means being prepared for the unexpected. Knowing what to do and who to contact when a wild animal is in trouble can make all the difference for patients like this owl.
@lemmy.world
For owls that are superb.
Please scroll down to read our community rules.
US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
Community Rules:
Posts must be about owls. Especially appreciated are photographs (not AI) and scientific content, but artwork, articles, news stories, personal experiences and more are welcome too.
Be kind. If a post or comment bothers you, or strikes you as offensive in any way, please report it and moderators will take appropriate action.
AI is discouraged. If you feel strongly that the community would benefit from a post that involves AI you may submit it, but it might be removed if the moderators feel that it is low-effort or irrelevant.
Also visit our twinned community for wholesome content:
go to feed...
@lemmy.world
For owls that are superb.
Please scroll down to read our community rules.
US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
Community Rules:
Posts must be about owls. Especially appreciated are photographs (not AI) and scientific content, but artwork, articles, news stories, personal experiences and more are welcome too.
Be kind. If a post or comment bothers you, or strikes you as offensive in any way, please report it and moderators will take appropriate action.
AI is discouraged. If you feel strongly that the community would benefit from a post that involves AI you may submit it, but it might be removed if the moderators feel that it is low-effort or irrelevant.
Also visit our twinned community for wholesome content:
go to feed...
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