On April 11, the rescue line received a call from a homeowner about an owl that was entangled in her kids' soccer net in their backyard. On arrival, Bill O. found a great horned owl and its intended prey, a rabbit, seriously entangled in the net and unable to escape. Bill cut the owl and the rabbit out of the net and took the owl to Pine Valley Vet. Luckily, Dr. Funnell found no injuries. We kept him under observation for a few days, watched as he practiced flying to be sure his wings were good, then released him on April 16 back where he came from. This is nesting season for great horned owls, so we are very happy we could release him so quickly.
Owls are night hunters, and can't see soccer nets in the dark, so they fly into them when they're chasing their prey. Then they injure themselves trying to escape. This owl was lucky. Many are not. Please, If you have a soccer net in your backyard, or at your school, please take them down at night. Save an owl's life!
