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Owl makes return to the wild

Tappen: Rehabilitated bird well enough for release
90425salmonarmSAOwl
Catch and release: This great horned owl had its wing caught in a kite string in September. It recuperated at the Kamloops Wildlife Park and was released back to the wild last week.

A great horned owl returned to its Tappen neighbourhood after spending nearly two months recovering from its injuries at the Kamloops Wildlife Park.

Workers from the park released the owl back into the area where it was found, after it was rescued Sept. 9, where it became tangled in a kite string caught in a tree.

“It had minor injuries and we were able to treat for the swelling and inflammation that it had around its wing. We were able to release it back in Tappen and it flew away looking great,” said Adrienne Clay from the Kamloops Wildlife Park, in an email .

The owl became caught  by its wing in a tree on Lynn Stanley’s property. Her grandson’s kite got away and became tangled in the tree near the family’s hydro transformer and adjacent power lines.

After her initial efforts to get help from BC Hydro were rebuffed, Stanley contacted a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Delta about the situation.

Within 10 minutes, Stanley heard from a hydro crew who were headed to her home for a raptor rescue.

Using their bucket truck, the BC Hydro workers were able to cut the lines and lower the bird to the ground. The next day, the Stanley’s drove the injured bird to the wildlife park.

After some medical care, the owl was deemed an excellent candidate for return to the wild.

Stanley is pleased the owl could be helped and is back flying in the area.