Sometimes animals find themselves in unexpected and hopeless situations and cannot escape on their own. When they are hurt or unable to move, they rely on people to notice them and step in. Otherwise, they have little chance of being safe again.
One wild animal found himself in need of human help. A great horned owl, usually quick and powerful, trapped himself in an old soccer net.
Although the homeowners managed to free him, the owl didn’t lift off the ground. The kind humans could tell that he was confused and weak, as if something deeper was wrong.
A Troubling Discovery
The homeowners called the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center and told them about the trapped owl. They explained that they removed the net, and expressed concern about the owl’s health.
Upon receiving the call, a volunteer headed out to the family’s address.
When he arrived, he found the owl inside a gated yard.
The bird was wet and struggling to stand. It seemed that he had fallen into a pool while trying to escape. His feathers were soaked wet.
By looking into his eyes, the volunteer could tell how overwhelmed he felt. Although he was no longer tangled in netting, he wasn’t safe. The volunteer picked him up, and rushed him to the center.
Hidden Danger And Unexpected Hope
Upon arrival at the rescue, the veterinary team examined the owl, and discovered something serious.
It turned out that netting had not only caught his wings and body.
There was a tight strand still wrapped around his neck. It was hidden under his wet feathers, and it had gone unnoticed until then.
The team removed the strand and treated the wounds it caused. They cleaned his injuries and gave him a place to rest. The owl was tired and frightened.
Fortunately, as the days passed, he slowly began to relax.
The rescue staff took care of him and after a couple of weeks, the owl regained his strength. When he was moved to a flight cage, he tested his wings again.
As he flew a little higher each day, his confidence returned, and the fear that had held him back started to disappear.
When release day came, the staff watched closely. The moment the door opened, the owl was happy and he lifted off with a sudden burst of energy. He flew straight into the trees and disappeared into the thick branches. He wanted to go home as soon as possible
This story shows us once again that a single act of kindness toward the helpless animals can save their life.