What Happened To This Owl In Upstate New York?
Many of us have had the experience of coming across an animal in need. Sometimes that animal is a member of New York's Wildlife community.
Recently a group of people found an owl in such bad condition they were sure it was dead. Turns out it was barely alive and in need of immediate assistance.
New York Parks & Historic Sites Rescued an Owl
A group of workers with NY State Parks & Historic Sites at the Saratoga Spa State Park found an owl that by all appearances seemed to be deceased. However, they soon discovered it was just soaked to the bone. The crew discovered the owl in standing water in the Vehicle Maintenance Garage.
Once they realized that the owl was clinging to life and in need of help they snapped into action. They contacted people who could help.
What Happened to this Owl
The NY State Parks & Historic Sites Natural Resource Staff determined that the owl's feathers had most likely become waterlogged in heavy rains therefore making it difficult for the owl to fly. They contacted a wildlife rehabilitator who was able to nurse the owl back to health.
Bird Watchers Hub explains how a bird can fly even though their wings are wet. However, if a bird's feathers are soaked the bird will have trouble with flight until the wings dry a bit. In the case of this owl, the wings were waterlogged.
The good news is the owl made a full recovery and has been released back into the wild.
What to do When you find Wildlife Needing Help
If you discover a member of our New York Wildlife in need of help there are various resources available to help. The New York State Department of Environmental Resouces is a good place to start. They keep a list of animal rehabbers who will be able to professionally assist the animal. Our best intentions are not always what the animal requires to survive and return to the wild.
How Many of these Members of the New York Wildlife Family Have You Encountered?
Hudson Valley Wildlife Gallery
Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn
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