A local resident recently noticed a great horned owl swimming in a small lake. Owls are not built for swimming, and the resident knew something wasn’t right. When the owl finally reached the shore, it appeared exhausted. She quickly called our von Arx Wildlife Hospital for guidance, safely contained the owl with help from our staff, and a critter courier transported it to our hospital.
Once admitted, our veterinarian performed a full exam and discovered a soft tissue injury to the owl’s left wing. The owl is now recovering in one of our outdoor enclosures, where it can rest and heal in a more natural environment as it regains strength.
Fun Fact: Great horned owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees thanks to an extra neck vertebrae. This is an incredible adaptation that helps them stay alert to their surroundings.
Photos by Noa R., intern at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital