A routine rescue in Connecticut took an odd turn when a barred owl ended up trapped by a piece of plumbing equipment. The injury was so unusual that even an experienced raptor rehabilitator said it was a new one for her organization, CT Insider reported.
Here's what to know
A Place Called Hope (@APlaceCalledHope), a raptor rehabilitation center in Killingworth, shared in a Facebook post that it is caring for a barred owl that a West Hartford animal control officer rescued after it was caught on a wire on a plumbing snake pole.
In the post, A Place Called Hope president Christine Cummings said the rescue was unprecedented.
"Now this is a first!" she exclaimed. "For us anyhow."
The occurrence was the result of the equipment's unusual location and the unfortunate luck of the owl roving the area.
"This poor Barred Owl happened to get snagged by a plumbing snake pole!" Cummings said. "Such a strange encounter."
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Due to the shape of the pole, it turned out to be a serious hazard for the bird.
"The wire has a sharp bend at the end that impaled this owl's wing tissue," Cummings added. "The wire pierced entirely through the skin, leaving a hole and a very sore wing as the owl struggled to get free."
More background
Wild animals move constantly through spaces shaped by people, whether backyards, athletic fields, work sites, or neighborhoods.
In this case, a tool meant for household plumbing apparently became a hazard for a bird simply passing through.
It's not just fencing or traps that can endanger wildlife inadvertently. Leaving sharp objects or items that can entangle wildlife outside can lead to harrowing situations like this one.
Cummings added in the post that West Hartford Animal Control Officer Kim helped free the owl and got it to A Place Called Hope, where the bird is now safe and in recovery. Cold laser therapy is up next.
What can be done?
Cummings said people should put away tools and sports gear that could trap or injure wildlife. Homeowners and community groups can inspect yards, sheds, gardens, and recreational spaces for sharp edges, dangling cords, exposed wire, and equipment left out overnight.
"It may have never happened before, but never say never," Cummings concluded in the Facebook post.
People who come across an injured bird should avoid trying to treat it themselves unless they are trained to do so. Contacting local animal control, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or a rescue organization is typically the safest option for both the animal and the person.
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