So there we were. A beautiful but injured snowy owl in the ditch. And we had advice from two nature centers to capture it. Now came the scary part. Bobbi rushed home to get some clothes baskets, blankets and heavy gloves. Injured or not the bird was a powerful raptor. We had to be careful to not injure the bird any further nor subject ourselves to sharp talons or beak. 
The operation went unexpectedly smoothly. Snowy tensed but did not resist. Into the clothes basket she went. Then we placed the basket in the back seat, covered it partially with a blanket, to keep the bird calm and headed off to Rochester, Minnesotas Quarry Hill Nature Center for further instructions.There Snowy was placed in a more appropriate pet carrier to be transported to the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicines famous Raptor Center in St. Paul. We headed North.....
Their motto is, "Ensuring the health of raptors and the world we share." We certainly hoped so... It is, in fact, a internationally renowned education facility which trains students and veterinarians from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation. 
We were told at the Center that starvation with injury cases are tough but their was hope. We’ve called their hot line several times and no final determination has yet been made. Still, we’re glad we could help and now know that our friend Snowy would not die alone in a ditch. She is being given every chance to survive.
We were told at the Center that starvation with injury cases are tough but their was hope. We’ve called their hot line several times and no final determination has yet been made. Still, we’re glad we could help and now know that our friend Snowy would not die alone in a ditch. She is being given every chance to survive.
Wonderful. I do hope the bird made a good recovery and stayed well for the rest of it's life.
ReplyDeleteHooray! Thank you for helping her. That was very brave!
ReplyDeleteBravo! Good for you - good for Snowy!
ReplyDeleteNow you need to get trained as a wildlife rehabber!
So glad you were able to get her with out much fuss and that she is being taken care of. I found a young hawk like that and took him to my vet. He x-rayed him and determined starvation and a broken wing were the main problems. My rescue was also sent to a center that handled such cases. I never found out but hope you do on your Snowy.
ReplyDeleteHi TB - so glad you were able to help her and at least have her in a safe place and where she will get some help.
ReplyDeletePS I hope you got the email ... cheers Hilary
Good on you for making a rescue. Much can be done with wildlife these days. Our wildlife center has done much research on fostering young birds so they can be released quickly.
ReplyDeleteAh gee, I hope she makes it. You folk did well.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I hope that beautiful raptor makes it. Thanks to your intervention, there is a chance. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I hope she makes it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great rescue, you all are heros!! I hope she makes it! Sorry to say sending snow your way, better prepare for an old fashioned blizzard and stay home:)
ReplyDeleteShe is in the best hands ever. Sure do hope she makes it. I worked on the St Paul campus two summers and would take my lunch to the Raptor Center and enjoy the inhabitants.
ReplyDeleteHoping for the best
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you do to protect, assist and document the critters in your world.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great story. I am glad the owl is in good hands.
ReplyDeleteDear Troutbirder, I so hope you hear soon from the U of M raptor center. The fact that the snowy owl didn't fight you in any way as you rescued it may truly be a sign of how weak it was from starvation. I so hope it survives and once again can soar the skies and share its beauty with us all. Peace.
ReplyDeleteYour compassion is amazing and I pray the owl survived.
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