Community support helps save injured barred owl
Kawartha Wildlife Centre thanks dental offices, vets for assistance
The Kawartha Wildlife Centre team is saying thanks after the community came together to help save an injured barred owl brought to the centre.
“Many local businesses rallied together to get us the supplies and resources needed to make this surgery happen, with the barred owl now stabilized, recovering and preparing for release,” the centre team told The Examiner in an email.
The owl had a damaged beak after flying into the side of a car.
“Collisions can be seriously dangerous for birds and all wildlife. We often see eye injuries and head trauma in HBC owls and they need to be treated quickly if the bird is to have a successful chance at surviving and thriving,” the centre’s team wrote on a Facebook post.
“The finders did all the right things for this owl. They pulled over right away, gently scooped the bird up with a towel, secured him in a crate and kept him in a dark, quiet, cool spot to rest until they heard back from us.”
Saving the owl’s beak meant bringing in the team at Peterborough West Animal Hospital, who stabilized the owl’s beak as the hospital’s office manager connected with Selwyn Family
Dental, Chemong Family Dental and Brealey Drive Animal Clinic to find the materials needed to build a beak splint for the owl’s beak.
“Thanks for everything you do to help these innocent little faces,” someone from Selwyn Family Dental posted to the Kawartha Wildlife Centre’s Facebook page.
With their donations and assistance, the owl was able to eat and begin recovering. But he still needed surgical pins in order to align the lower beak with the top, preventing complications as the beak grows in, the Kawartha Wildlife Centre team notes.
Dr. Sherri Cox from the National Wildlife Centre Canada was able to align the beak with two steel pins.
“It is only because of the overwhelming support of our community partners that we are able to help patients like this,” said the National Wildlife Centre Canada.
“On a Friday afternoon, everyone did what they could to come together and give this barred owl a solid chance at returning to the wild.”
Watch for wildlife, the centre team advises motorists.
“There are lots of wild animals and birds looking for an easy meal by the roads this time of year. Be especially cautious between dusk and midnight, when activity is high and visibility is poor.”