Injured owl is at rehab facility after trapping teen in a car

It’s still touch and go for an injured great horned owl who crossed paths with a teenager trying to save the bird.

The owl trapped the Arizona teen in her car Monday night after she tried rescuing it. After a short standoff, she managed to coax it out of her car.

The owl is now in rehab at the Tuscon Wildlife Center, Arizona Game and Fish Department spokesman Mark Hart said.

Hart said that while the owl was left with an injured eye, it can still flap its wings. That’s a good sign for the owl’s recovery. However, the owl was in “guarded” condition when last observed Friday, Hart said, adding that it’s too early to tell how the owl will fare.

Hart said the teen had good intentions.

“Frankly, she’s been quite helpful in getting the word out about calling us first,” Hart said. “We appreciate her willingness to work with us.”

The Tucson Wildlife Center, where the owl is recovering, specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Southern Arizona’s injured or orphaned wildlife.