From the Illinois Raptor Center
We've previously posted about this Eastern Screech Owl who was found at an interstate exit likely having been hit by a car, at the beginning of November.
When he came in he was falling over, shaking, had a head tilt, couldn't keep his eyes open well and had poor response to light in his eyes, and was just in very bad shape. We had him in our ICU on oxygen for a while as well as anti-inflammatory pain meds, as they was evidence of head trauma from his injuries, and he improved quite a bit over time. We got him moved out to one of our smal flights set up for screech owls and kestrels to work on building up his flight strength again, and he spent the next few months eating well and getting better at flight.
Earlier this week it was time! He was given an exit exam, fitted with his USGS band, and our executive director Jane took him out to a spot she uses for releasing these little guys where there are plenty of resources for them. He had strong opinions about being grabbed up for all this, but now hes back out in the wild where he belongs. Good luck little guy!
This is an impressive amount of effort put into saving such a tiny creature.
It is! I don't know how all these places afford to do it. It constantly shocks me these places don't receive any public money for what they do.
And yet it is both good and right.
It's shocking that good and right exist! :D