September 14, 2011, started out like any other day, the Conservation Areas were wrapping up the summer season and we were getting ready to ready another fall season, when staff at ChristieLake CA received a call from a local resident regarding a Great Horned Owl sitting on a hiking path in the middle of the woods. Bruce Harschnitz the Superintendent of
Christie Lake, gave me a call in hopes that
something could be done to help this owl. After arriving at Christie Lake CA, it was clear the owl was in distress and appeared lethargic.
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| Great Horned Owl |
After some discussion and debate we decided the best thing to do was to contact the Owl Foundation (Located in Vineland Station, ON), to
see if they could accommodate a seemingly ailing owl. The owl foundation is
a registered charitable organization that focuses on helping and rehabilitating
injured, diseased or starving Canadian owl species.
With the help of a few other colleagues we were able to capture the owl and placed it in a well ventilated box, and prepare to take the owl on a road trip to the foundation so it could receive the care it needed. I got to be the lucky person who had the privilege of holding onto the box while we drove.
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| Great Horned Owl |
The car ride was quite the
journey, as we drove down the highway, the car was completely silent, accept for
the periodic “hoot” from the box. I talked to the owl in hopes we would both
stay calm, but when he managed to poke his head out of the box to see
what was going on, I was startled! Imagining him coming out of the box and flying
around the car! It turned out he just wanted to figure out what was going on, and
tucked himself back into the box, and let out anther “hoot”, which I
assumed meant he would not do that again.
After arriving at the
foundation, the employees met me in the drive way, then proceed inside the
facility. I held onto the owl while the employee conducted a quick assessment.
I said my good-byes to the owl and thanked him for making my "normal" workday that little bit more exciting. Upon leaving I left my contact information, and was informed I would receive a
call from the foundation with an update as soon as they had one.
On Tuesday September 11, 2012
while at my desk, during another "normal" work day, I received a phone call from the Owl Foundation. (by this
time I thought sadly the owl did not make a recovery). I was overjoyed to
hear the owl had gained a full recovery and was ready to be released back into
nature.
Staff at the foundation, informed me that the owl had
suffered major trauma to his beak, which kept him from feeding, eventually leading
him to be emaciated. The staff cared for the owl, providing much
needed fluids and food, with every passing day the owl became stronger flying and hunting
mice within its enclosure.
The Owl Foundation decided the time had come to release the owl back to the wild, at the same spot it was orginally found. The release
party was held on Friday September 14, 2012 at Christie Lake CA, with an
invitation to everyone involved in the recovery process. At the release party, Jane, (from the Owl
Foundation) selected an open area with nearby trees, so the owl may take cover
quickly. The box opened and the owl poked his head out quickly, then off he
flew to a tree close by. It was an experience that will forever stay with me,
and close to my heart. Whenever I am at Christie Lake CA, in the futrue I will look for the Great
Horned owl that received a second chance to soar through the trees.
Lisa Jennings
Aquatic Ecologist
Hamilton Conservation Authority
HCA would like to thank everyone
involved, especially the local resident who first noticed the frail owl and the
Owl Foundation that no doubt saved this owls life. Without the dedication of
this organization, owls injured, diseased would not have a second chance. The
tireless effort and compassion from the staff at the foundation is astounding,
we are very fortunate to have a organization like in the area.
Please visit the Owl Foundation
website for more information about the organization and how you can help www.theowlfoundation.ca
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