It was just another typical day for a farmer in Pennsylvania who was unaware of the shocking discovery that he was about to make.
Once he spotted a mysterious dark figure in the manure pit of his farm, it sparked his curiosity and he approached to examine what it was.
The moment he moved closer, the farmer was stunned to realize that it was a great horned owl. Since it seemed uninjured, the farmer thought that it could fly away on its own. He decided not to disturb it and give it time to leave on its own.
In the morning, when the kind man saw the owl standing at the same place and slowly sinking into the manure, he realized that it was trapped and urgently needed assistance.
You’re Safe Now
The farmer sprung into action. He went into the manure pit, rescued the owl, and placed it on the ground.
The owl looked miserable and hopeless.
Its rescuer reached out to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and told them that he had found a great horned owl who was in desperate need of help.
The organization contacted a volunteer who agreed to make the hour-and-a-half-long drive and bring the owl to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Washington Boro.
“She said it was the stinkiest two-hour drive ever. When I opened the crate, I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Raven Ridge Wildlife Center animal rehabilitator, Tracie Young, told The Dodo.
Young began taking care of her.
She knew that great horned owls dislike baths so she was prepared for the mess that was about to ensue.
After she put on an isolation gown and a pair of safety glasses, she started removing the manure off of the owl.
The Owl’s Transformation
Once she finished cleaning her up, there was manure all over the place.
“… There was manure on the walls, on the floor, all over me. Because, you know, great horned owls aren’t real big fans of baths,” Young added.
Once the owl was clean and fed, she looked unrecognizable. Her mood improved and she looked majestic.
Young placed her in a warm incubator where she could relax.
In the morning, she received a health checkup, and luckily, she had no injuries.
After monitoring the owl for a while, Young could tell that she was in good health. She relocated her to a flight pen where she met the other rescued owls who were staying there.
As soon as she feels ready, Young will set her free and release her into the wild.
Thanks to the kindness and compassion that the humans showed her, the owl will get a second shot at happiness and enjoy life in her natural habitat again.