How did the owl get covered in concrete at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary?

The juvenile owl accidentally fell into a concrete mixer, resulting in a significant portion of its body being encased.

What treatment did the concrete-covered owl receive?

Rescuers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary used daily warm water baths under anesthesia to slowly remove the hardened concrete.

When will the rescued owl be released?

The owl is expected to be released into the wild next spring or summer after its next molt.

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Owl Freed From Concrete Nightmare

20 Nov

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Summary

An owl was rescued after being covered in hardened concrete.
Rescuers painstakingly removed concrete using warm water baths.
The owl is recovering well and will be released next year.

Rescuers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah faced a unique challenge after a juvenile great horned owl was discovered encased in hardened concrete. The bird, weighing only two pounds, had somehow fallen into a concrete mixer, resulting in a quarter of its body being covered.

Over six days, sanctuary staff meticulously bathed the owl under anesthesia to gradually soften and remove the concrete from its face, chest, and wing. This unprecedented situation required the team to develop a novel approach, showcasing their dedication to the animal's welfare.

The owl is now on the path to recovery, having been moved to an outdoor enclosure where it has demonstrated improved flight. The sanctuary plans to release the resilient bird into a forested area near where it was found, following its next molt in spring or summer 2026.

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