PATIENT: Great Horned Owl, #11-2545

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Augusta County, Virginia

INJURY: Gunshot

ADMISSION DATE: October 22, 2011

OUTCOME:  Released December 31, 2011

On Saturday, October 22, Great Horned Owl #11-2545 was admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for treatment. The adult owl was found in the woods near Staunton, Virginia.  The owl’s rescuer watched it attempt to drink from a creek for almost half an hour and when the owl appeared to be in distress, the rescuer captured the bird and brought it into the Center.

Upon its arrival, the Great Horned Owl was examined by Dr. Adam Naylor, who noted that the owl was very thin. The owl was also ataxic — uncoordinated — and was also showing some head-jerking movements.  While this could be due to general weakness, the head movements may also indicate a neurological injury. 

In his initial examination Dr. Adam also noted that the Great Horned Owl had very uniquely colored eyes. Instead of having orange or yellow irises, #11-2545 has gray irises in both eyes! The Wildlife Center staff could not find reports of this condition being observed in any other Great Horned Owls, but they are consulting with colleagues in the field.  There are a few possible causes for the unique coloration, but most likely this has resulted from a genetic variation.

Blood work revealed that this owl was not technically emaciated — but because of its very poor body condition, Dr. Adam opted to tube-feed the bird to avoid the risk of re-feeding syndrome.    

After a week, the Great Horned Owl’s health and weight had improved enough to allow the Center’s veterinarians to anesthetize it for radiographs. The radiographs revealed three shotgun pellets, each a little less than 2.5 millimeters in diameter, scattered throughout the bird’s body — one in the right wing, one in the left leg, and one in the pelvic region on the left side of the bird.  While the pellets are not currently hurting the bird, and do not need to be removed, this likely explains the bird’s cause of admission. 

By November 4, the owl was eating whole food and  regaining weight. Its attitude has now improved, though there are still some concerns  regarding its condition. While the initial neurological symptoms have dissipated, the Center’s veterinarians are still holding back on their optimism until the owl shows signs of remaining healthy for a longer period of time.

November 15 update

Great Horned Owl #11-2545 was moved into an intermediate-sized raptor enclosure [a "C-pen"] for observation on Friday, November 11.  The owl’s attitude has improved — the bird is bright, alert, and feisty.  Once the veterinary team feels comfortable with it manuevering around its enclosure, and as long as the owl continues to show improvement, it will then be moved into a larger flight pen.

November 28 update

Great Horned Owl #11-2545 was moved into a flight pen on November 23.  The rehabilitation staff report that the owl has been doing well in the flight pen, and flying the length of the 42′ enclosure.  The veterinary staff will soon be scheduling this bird for a more “formal” exercise program. 

On another note, Dr. Miranda consulted on the unique color of this bird’s eyes with a colleague specializing in ophthalmology.  After they ruled out indications of other eye injuries, the ophthalmologist concurred that “these are likely normal variations — but weird.”

December 14 update

The Great Horned Owl has been flying very well over the past couple weeks — the rehabilitation staff is pleased with both its stamina and silent flight.  Dr. Miranda would like to see the owl fattened up a little more prior to release, but the rehabilitation staff have tentatively scheduled live prey testing to start on Friday December 16th.

December 19 update

The Great Horned Owl began “mouse school” on Saturday, December 17 — and so far has been passing!  His last night of the live prey testing should be December 19.  The rehabilitation staff plan on fattening him up for several more days before scheduling the owl for release.

December 30 update

After a successful round of “mouse school”, and a few extra days of nice healthy servings at meal time, Great Horned Owl #11-2545 is ready for release!  Dr. Miranda and team performed the owl’s pre-release blood work on December 28; everything looks great.  The owl will be released in the same area where it was found, likely on the weekend of December 30.

January 3 update

Great Horned Owl #11-2545 was released on December 31, 2011, back in the same area in which it was found.  Front desk coordinator Kate released the owl at dusk and reports that he flew off successfully to a nearby tree.

Click here to see a video of Dr. Miranda catching-up the Great Horned Owl.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide state-of-the-art medical care to this Great Horned Owl … and to the 2,600+ other patients the Center will admit this year.  Please help!