Jody set out for a typical walk with her dog along the Enola Low-Grade Trail in Pennsylvania, expecting nothing out of the ordinary.
But as they passed a wooded stretch, her dog suddenly became restless and tugged her toward a leaf-covered area nearby. His unusual behavior caught her attention.
When she reached the spot, she was startled to find a motionless creature nestled among the leaves. Its coloring blended so well with the surroundings that she couldn’t immediately identify it.
What she discovered next would lead to an unexpected rescue and a second chance for a wild animal in distress.
A Hidden Owl Found In Critical Condition
Jody stepped closer to get a better view and realized the creature lying in the leaves was an owl.
Uncertain about how to help and unfamiliar with owl behavior, she snapped a photo and sent it to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
The team quickly identified the bird as a great horned owl and noted that its condition was highly unusual.
“It is always a red flag when an owl is found grounded and fails to fly away when approached,” the center wrote in their Facebook post. “Especially when it’s in the middle of day.”
Recognizing the urgency, volunteers rushed to the location and carefully transported the owl to their facility.
Once examined, the outlook was grim. According to the post, “she couldn’t stand, was shivering, couldn’t open an eye, was falling over, cold, dehydrated, and dazed”.
Emergency care began immediately, with staff checking on her every half hour. Though her survival was uncertain, they remained hopeful.
The suspected cause of her condition was unexpected. They believed she had been sprayed directly in the face by a skunk.
Recovery Brings Strength And A Return To The Wild
Despite the severity of her injuries, the owl began to recover.
“We are thrilled to share with you the remarkable transformation this owl has made! THANK YOU, to everyone that was sending prayers and healing thoughts his way,” RRWC wrote in their Facebook post, a little more than a month after she’s been saved.
Her rehabilitation was challenging, but in time, she regained her strength and beauty.
Once she was stable, the team began preparing her for release. A month into the second phase of her recovery, RRWC shared another update on their Facebook page.
“What a way to start the NEW YEAR our first release of 2024!” they wrote. “The owl has made a complete recovery and is back home where she belongs.”
When released, she immediately took flight, soaring into the trees. She was finally back in her natural habitat, where she belonged.
