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Great Horned Owl Rescue in Washington Township
I am one of several lucky folks around here who get the opportunity to drive injured birds to The Raptor Trust near the Great Swamp.
In this instance, it was a Great Horned Owl that had been sitting in a Washington Township backyard last night and this morning — not right.
When I got there, I could see that the owl was young but likely fledged.
It did not fly when I approached, so (wearing gloves and protective glasses) I gently picked it up in a comforter, put the comforter in a well-ventilated plastic can, and drove it to The Raptor Trust.
Diagnosis: The owl fought a skunk, and the skunk won. When I got closer to the comforter, I could spell the aroma.
I am washing the comforter now. (Nobody tell Patty!)
If you know where Great Horned Owls nested in Washington Township, please let me know.
If the owl recovers as hoped, we'd like to return him his neighborhood.
(The Raptor Trust is a terrific place!)
2 comments
-
I did not see any wounds. I will check Wednesday afternoon for a condition report.
I washed the comforter, and it smells better then ever. (Conversely, I have heard that skunk gets rid of the smell of tomato juice.) -
i’ve heard tomatoe juice gets rid of the smell of skunk. I am glad i have never had to use it. Just curious, did the Owl have any wounds? There are some skunk that carry rabies. Hopefully, this beautiful bird will see a better day and a long healthy life. HE/She is in the best hands possible!
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2 comments
Jim Wright
I did not see any wounds. I will check Wednesday afternoon for a condition report.
I washed the comforter, and it smells better then ever. (Conversely, I have heard that skunk gets rid of the smell of tomato juice.)
Linda Sohl
i’ve heard tomatoe juice gets rid of the smell of skunk. I am glad i have never had to use it. Just curious, did the Owl have any wounds? There are some skunk that carry rabies. Hopefully, this beautiful bird will see a better day and a long healthy life. HE/She is in the best hands possible!