On March 29, a Great Horned owlet was found in Mechanicsville on the ground -- the owlet was below a nest that was 100 feet up in the tree. The rescuer attempted to re-nest the owl, but the nest was too high to easily reach. The rescuer also tried to make a secondary nest for the owlet (in hopes that the parents would find the baby and continue to care for it), but the effort proved unsuccessful. The bird was then brought to a rehabilitator, who transferred the owlet to the Center.
Upon examination by the Center's veterinary team, owlet #17-0363 was bright, alert, and feisty. The physical exam did not reveal any injuries, although the bird was very thin. Radiographs showed food within its gastrointestinal tract, indicating the owlet had been eating.
Overall, the owlet appeared to be healthy and was transferred to the rehabilitation team for continued care. On April 10, the rehabilitation staff introduced the owlet to the Center's surrogate Great Horned Owl, Papa G’Ho. Papa G’Ho will teach the baby the necessary skills and behaviors to successfully grow up and be released. The owlet will spend days in the pen with Papa and nights inside the Center until it acclimates; the owlet will eventually stay with Papa full time in an outdoor enclosure.
Owlet #17-0363 is Papa G’Ho’s first owlet this season!