When Jody set out with her dog for their usual walk along the Enola Low-Grade Trail in Pennsylvania, she expected an ordinary outing.
But as they passed a wooded area, her dog suddenly grew agitated and began pulling her toward a nearby spot blanketed with leaves.
Since he rarely behaved like this, Jody knew something was wrong. When she reached the spot, she was startled to see a mysterious animal lying still in the leaves.
The creature blended in so well that she couldn’t immediately tell what it was.
A Serious Accident
When Jody moved closer for a better look, she realized an owl was lying in the leaves. Unsure of what to do and knowing little about owls, she took a photo and sent it to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
Rescuers quickly confirmed it was a great horned owl, adding that it was unusual to find one in such poor shape.
“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 scene to rescue the bird and bring her back to their facility.
Once examined, the prognosis was grim. According to the post, “she couldn’t stand, was shivering, couldn’t open an eye, was falling over, cold, dehydrated, and dazed”.
They began emergency triage immediately, checking on her every 30 minutes. While the outcome was uncertain, they stayed hopeful.
The most surprising part was the suspected cause; they believed she had been sprayed in the face by a skunk.
Returned To Her Natural Home
Despite her injuries and a long, difficult recovery, the owl pulled through.
“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.
Then came the second phase: preparing her for release. Not long after the New Year, RRWC shared an update on their Facebook page, a month after the start of the second phase of her recovery.
“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.”
Once set free, she wasted no time flying into the trees, finally back in her rightful place.
The scent of freedom was simply irresistible.