A glue trap almost robbed this Great Horned Owl of his ability to fly.
On October 4th, only 16 minutes after our Wildlife Hospital opened its doors for the day, we began our initial exam on this heartbreaking intake.
His feathers were in an alarming state: pieces of the glue trap were stuck to his abdomen, tail, and right wing, leaving them sticky, matted, and bent. Once Medical Staff ensured he was stable, they immediately set to work on the delicate process of freeing him.
While glue traps are non-toxic, they are incredibly cruel. Animals caught in the adhesive don't die instantly. Instead, they face days of slow suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation. We are profoundly grateful to the caring neighbor who stepped in to rescue him before it was too late.
Under gentle sedation, our team gave the owl a specialized bath, carefully washing away the sticky residue with animal-safe solutions. X-rays confirmed that despite swollen tissue and misshapen feathers, no bones were broken and all feathers were intact.
Over the next few days, the owl's appetite, weight, and flight quality were closely monitored. Following one final cleaning session, his flight and body condition looked great, and he was deemed ready for release.
On October 9th, he flew free, back to the wild where he > belongs.
Please help us protect local wildlife by opting out of glue traps!
