Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Barred Owl

Photos / Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

Barbed wire fencing can be extremely dangerous for many species and it is raptors that we see injured by this type of fencing most commonly.

When the barbs catch on a piece of skin, the animal fights to get away, often tangling the wing and feathers further or even breaking bones. If the finder were to pull the animal off the barbed wire (something we see frequently), the skin would have been too severely damaged to attempt treatment.

Luckily, the finder of this Barred Owl called for help and removed the animal properly so that we could provide care.

This owl had wounds on both sides of the wing and there were injuries to the underlying muscle as well. The prognosis for a full recovery is guarded at this time, but we are hopeful as the wounds are healing well so far.

If you find an animal stuck in fencing like this, cover the animal with a towel and avoid speaking to reduce stress. Wearing thick leather gloves, bundle the bird in the towel and cut the fencing on both sides to free the bird with the wire still attached to their wing/body. Transport in a box small enough to prevent flapping and further damage and get that animal to a permitted rehabilitator right away.

Thank you to the amazing finders who acted promptly and appropriately so that this owl could have the best chance of recovery!

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