yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

~ Yesterday I posted what I thought was a cool image of a Great Horned Owl that my wife and I found when out walking our Yorkies in an area close to our home. I posted the picture thinking the Owl either was eating or on a nest (at this point I don't know much about these birds this was soon to change).
~ After posting and getting positive results, I had a PM sent to me by a fellow UHH member. That person happens to be a Ph.D. Veterinary wildlife pathologist and told me that there was a very good chance that that Owl was injured or sick. He could tell by the posture and wing position that something was seriously wrong with it. After thanking the UHH member, I called the local Wildlife Rescue and advised them as to the situation. They told me we should make sure the Owl was still there and call back. So, off we go, and there it is - still under the bush.
~ Twenty minutes later the rescue person showed up and immediately saw what was wrong with this majestic animal - RAT POISON from black boxes that are all over our city and many others. Owls feed on rats and mice. The rats and mice eat the poison in the Black Box and proceed to run around for up to ten days. The Owl sees these slow vermin as an easy mark and is poisoned second hand by this wretched feast. Hence, why we found this disoriented bird struggling for life. Very sad.
~ So the rescue person takes the Owl and tells us the chances of survival for this magnificent bird is pretty low, but they will try to flush the bird's system and save it if possible. Awesome work these people do!!

+++ So, I would like to thank again the Hero UHH member, Uuglypher, for the quick run to the action of trying to get this Great Horned Owl rescued from the brink of death caused by the stupidity of Humans that think they (us) are Oh So Clever.
....Is this a happy Ending? It could be... Its ALL UP TO US!!

Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

Great job by Uuglypher to reach out and to you, yorkiebyte for following up. Hoping for the best for this beauty!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Will you be able to follow his progress and let us know?

repleo Loc: Boston

Magnificent creatures. We see one in the woods behind our house occasionally.

thumpercat2

Keep us updated if at all possible. Thanks

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Interesting post and thank you. Good reminder that using poison to deal with your rodent problem is not necessarily a good idea.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Many thanks to yorkiebyte and Dave for the rescue.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

I hope it survives. I set a mouse trap out this spring to try and deal with moles. It got a sparrow; one that had a magnificent song. Beware unanticipated consequences.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Cut a cardboard box to put over the trap with an entry on each side.
Weigh the box down if outdoors/necessary. Should keep cats, birds, and such out.

I don't use poisons either.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Two sides, not all four...
It works, we have some feral cats in the neighborhood.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You and Dave done good! Happy New Year!

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Kudos to all of you.