Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Great Horned Owl

How to Keep Wildlife Wild:

Two nestling Great Horned owlets came to the Center after being found out of their nest in a public park. At this age, owlets should be able to climb back up the tree to return themselves to the nest. Because they were seemingly unable to do this, they were brought to the Center for a wellness check with hopes of quickly renesting.

Unfortunately, both nestlings were emaciated, anemic, and dehydrated upon admission, although otherwise uninjured. A specialty diet was tube fed initially due to the owl’s severe emaciation and dehydration. Once they were more alert, we were able to start feeding them solid food.

The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is always release, and to be released, wild patients must know that they are wild. For babies like these Great Horned Owl nestlings, that means using disguises to prevent them from thinking that food comes from humans!

By using puppets and camouflage to feed babies, we help to prevent imprinting. Since humans are the biggest threat to wildlife, we never want these animals to feel safe around people. This kind of treatment will help increase their ability to survive on their own in the wild.

We saw this working when they started acting appropriately for their species by displaying defensive behaviors at staff and vocalizing when being fed by their puppet parent!

To see a video of these two being fed, check out this video on our TikTok!

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