A sad ending to a Great Horned Owl...

My oldest daughter spent the night a friends house and came home the next morning to tell us that an injured Great Horned Owl was behind her friends house.

A neighbor was at the house and as it turns out we were on our way out to take a walk in our neighborhood. So, we changed our route and decided to check up on the creature. As it turns out, the owl had been there for at least one night about 30 or so feet from a dog run. So, the dogs barked all night long.... [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] We spotted the owl on a pile of old logs and saw that it wasn't moving too well. So, we left, finished our walk, and then began to make some phone calls to the local SPCA and Maryland DNR (Dept of Natural Resources). As it turned out, it was Tuesday and election day. So, all of the state people we off that day. We called around and got the phone number of a local guy who is licensed to handle injured wildlife (state and federal). We left messages and began to worry about the poor animal as it was cold and it was supposed to rain. So, we called another Animal Rescue organization and they gave us instructions on how to capture the owl. So, we gathered up our portable dog crate, a few old blankets, and some leather gloves for the capture.

As it turned out, the capture was very simple. The animal was not moving very much and was obviously sick. So, we threw the blanket over the owl gentlely, wrapped it up, and placed it into the cage. We then drove the owl home and kept it in our basement to keep it away from our other animals.

We finally heard from the local animal rescue person and he came to get the bird around dinner time. He reached into the cage and got the owl by its feet. The bird did not put up any struggle. It was sick. The man then checked it's eyes and rubbed his fingers on the breast bone. The bird was emaciated and hadn't eaten too much. The man also said that the eyes were dialated which indicated that the bird probably had some head trauma. So, he placed it into his cage and took it home.

We called him the next day and he told us that he went to give the owl some medicine about an hour after he got home and the poor thing had died.

It is said to see such majestic animals die like that. Raptors are needed to keep the balance in nature and you really do not see or hear many owls nowdays.

We did our best and the rescue person did his. That is all one can do. The attached picture was taken just after we got him home.

Terry

Best laid plans... [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Forgot the attachment... silly me!! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

They are quite magnificent. We have a nesting pair also. Last spring we watched their chick being raised for 4+ weeks. Snow white when young. Here's a photo at about 3 to 4 weeks.

It is sad to have one of these beautiful creatures die. My wife is the one who will spend the time and effort to try and save these wild creatures when they are injured. Owls, robins, sparrows, raccoons, woodchucks, red tail hawk and many more have been nursed back to health. She does not always succeed but most time she is successful. All are released back to wild. Some will stay around our property and visit from time to time.

tenebrous,

What your wife is doing is really great! However, I would caution you to be careful. The Federal Government has laws regarding what one can do to help wildlife and I imagine that your State has similar regulations. The best thing to do is to find a local certified and licensed wildlife rescuer to nurse the injured animals back to health. Unfortunately, all best efforts can backfire and you could get into trouble. You're danged if you do and danged if you don't..... [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

Terry

I should have added that she does work with a licensed wildlife rescuer. You are right about the dangers in trying to help injured wild animals. We always try to take care not to put ourselves in a position that is dangerous.

There are a few small scars but they were well worth it. Now more than ever in our area we have to be very careful that the animals are not rabid. Injured is one thing and sick looking is a cause for the greatest caution.

Interesting points that you brought up in your description of the sad ending to the owl.

"Dogs howled all night long". Seems someone would have checked on the dogs and done something to quiet them down so they wouldn't be annoying neighbors "all night long".

The state offices were closed for elections. Another excuse to get out of work on your tax money.

The owl was determined by someone to be sick, (maybe old-age?), and possibly had a head injury. We all must go sometime too.

But it all is "sad".

The friends did check things out but couldn't find the problem until daylight... the problem being the injured owl and the dogs are kenneled. Won't get into the kenneling of pets all the time. [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Terry

Bummer, Terry. I also love those beautiful raptors!

Oddly enough, one of our rescue goldens has taken it upon himself to rescue injured animals. Usually the mice he saves from the cats drown in his saliva, but the larger animals do pretty well with him. Tetley nestles up to the injured animal and growls to keep the other dogs, cats, chickens, etc away.

He once cared for a young broadwinged hawk with a yeast infection. Even offered the bird his beloved bone! Strangest thing I've ever seen!

Pete