Humboldt Co great horned owl

Admission Date: 16 August 2016
Outcome: Released, 17 September 2016 near Gotch Park in Humboldt County
Location of Rescue: Near Bode in Humboldt Co
Cause of Admission / Condition: Unknown as to what grounded
Patient Status: Patient Archive, Success Stories

A resident of the small town of Bode emailed SOAR on 15 August asking if anyone was able to rescue an owl along a county road.

Conservation board staff were available, but when they arrived at the address… could find no owl. Phone numbers were exchanged in hopes the owl would be seen again.

The next day, another neighbor saw the owl and was able to use a heavy towel to wrap around the wings, pick up, and place in a cardboard box… and called the conservation board. Then started the ‘pony express’ to get this great horned owl to SOAR.

All involved in transport of the owl that day noted the slight ‘eau d’ skunk’ on the owl. Great horned owls are one of the few birds that will eat skunk.

Updates:

25 August 2016
Kay said the owl was emaciated upon arrival at SOAR, but now was eating well on his own. A round of wormer and bit more weight on him before going to the flight pen!