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

We are excited to introduce Bramble, a young great horned owl who is beginning his new chapter as an ambassador at our Center. Bramble’s story is a reminder of why it’s so important to seek professional help when encountering wildlife in need.

Bramble’s journey started in the most unexpected way—a blizzard in Illinois in March, when he fell over 150 feet from his nest. He survived the fall, but the kind-hearted property owners who found him kept him for several weeks before contacting a raptor rehabilitator near Chicago.

While they had the best of intentions, this early period of human care set the stage for a critical issue: imprinting. Despite efforts by the raptor rehabilitator to renest Bramble and introduce him to other young owls of his species, it became clear that the damage was done. He had imprinted on humans, a condition that makes it impossible for him to survive in the wild.

Imprinted birds see humans as their own kind, which can lead to behaviors that are unsafe for both the bird and people, and it prevents them from learning essential survival skills.

After being deemed non-releasable, Bramble was transferred to our Center for a permanent position as an ambassador. While he is still working on his fundamental training, he’s already showing signs of becoming a wonderful addition to our team. Bramble will help us educate the public about the incredible lives of great horned owls and the challenges these birds face in the wild.

Bramble’s story serves as a crucial lesson: when you encounter injured or orphaned wildlife, it is always best to get them to a licensed rehabilitator immediately. Despite the good intentions of his finders, Bramble lost his chance at a wild life—something every animal deserves. Great horned owls can live 20 years or more, and they are highly intelligent animals that require constant enrichment, a specialized diet, and ongoing training to minimize stress when under the care of humans.

We are committed to giving Bramble the best life possible here at the Center, and we know he will inspire many people to appreciate and protect wildlife. However, we hope his story is a reminder that wild animals belong in the wild. Hopefully, through his story, we can make sure other young owls get the second chance at freedom that Bramble did not.

Be sure to say “Hi” to Bramble next time you visit our Wildlife Walk, which is open to the public daily from 10am to 4pm!

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