When Jody decided to take her dog for a typical stroll along the Enola Low-Grade Trail in Pennsylvania, she expected it to be just another ordinary excursion.
However, at a certain point, while they were nearing the woods, her dog unexpectedly grew restless and began pulling her toward a spot hidden under a layer of leaves.
Since this behavior was unusual for him, Jody sensed that something was amiss. What she encountered was shocking—an unfamiliar animal lay still beneath the foliage.
At first, the creature’s camouflage left Jody uncertain about its identity.
A Distressing Incident
As Jody edged closer to investigate, she recognized that the animal was an owl. Lacking knowledge about these birds, she snapped a photo and sent it to an expert, specifically the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
Upon reviewing the image, the rescue center confirmed it was indeed an owl—a great horned owl—and noted that it was uncommon to find one in such a state.
“When an owl is located on the ground and does not attempt to fly away when approached, it’s an alarming sign,” the center detailed in their Facebook post. “This is especially concerning if it happens during the day.”
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they acted swiftly to rescue the unfortunate creature. Within a short time, volunteers arrived at the scene to rescue the owl and transport her to their facility.
Upon further examination, the prognosis looked grim. According to their post, “she was unable to stand, was shivering, had one eye shut, was unsteady, cold, dehydrated, and disoriented.”
This prompted them to initiate emergency care and conduct consistent monitoring every 30 minutes. Despite the precarious situation, they held onto hope.
What was particularly perplexing about this case was the suspected cause of the Pennsylvania owl’s distress. Remarkably, they believed she had been sprayed in the face by a skunk…
Homeward Bound
Despite the unfortunate incident that caused her injuries and the challenging rehabilitation process she underwent, this tenacious owl emerged triumphant.
“We are overjoyed to announce the incredible recovery of this owl! A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who were sending their prayers and positive energy her way,” RRWC stated in their Facebook b ook post a little over a month after her rescue.
The rehabilitation process was far from easy, but it proved worthwhile when they witnessed the stunning transformation of this owl.
Next came the second stage of her recovery—much simpler but essential, serving as her ticket back to the wild.
The day of her release arrived swiftly, as the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center shared an UPDATE on their Facebook page shortly after the New Year—a month following the start of her recovery’s second phase.
“What a fantastic way to kick off the NEW YEAR—our first release of 2024!” they shared. “The owl has fully recovered and is back home where she belongs.”
Grateful to her rescuers, this great horned owl wasted no time soaring into the treetops as soon as she recognized that she was finally back to where she truly belonged.
The scent of freedom was simply irresistible.
