If a cat has nine lives, how many does a great horned owl get?
"This owl's been in twice actually," says Dr. Julia Ponder with the Raptor Center.
Two years ago, it was found hanging from a fishing line, tangled in a tree.
"The first time, it was just soft tissue injuries," recalls Ponder. "He was only in the clinic about a month that time."
The owl made a full recovery the first time thanks to the Raptor Center. The bird was released, until about a month ago, when the owl got in trouble again.
"It had been hit by a car. This is the one that got trapped behind the grill of the car," says Ponder. "It's a once in a lifetime, unique situation. Getting hit by a car and managing to get through the grill into a safe place and stay there. Even when the car was being driven by a fast rate because they didn't know the owl was there.
This time, the owl did break a small bone in his wing.
The bird went straight into the operating room.
The owl was grounded for about a month before Raptor Center workers took him out for his first test flight.
"He's definitely on the right course," says Ponder. "We'll exercise him until he can do a significant number of repeated flights.
This lucky owl could be ready to be released in a matter of weeks.
Click here to watch Jana Shortal's original story on this great horned owl.
(Copyright 2009 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
