Owl Rescued From Concrete Mixer Takes Flight

A juvenile great horned owl recently experienced a remarkable recovery after being found encased in concrete within a mixer in southwestern Utah. Discovered in late October by construction workers, the owl's ordeal required extensive effort from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab.

Sanctuary employees spent days carefully removing dried concrete from the bird's face, chest, and wing using specialized tools and gentle cleaning agents. Initial recovery in an aviary was complicated when the owl did not molt as expected. To restore its flight capabilities, staff performed an innovative procedure called imping in early May, grafting donor feathers onto the owl's damaged wing.

This delicate process, involving precise feather placement and adhesive, successfully replaced ten primary and one secondary feather on the owl's right wing. Following the procedure, the owl was placed in a large aviary for recovery. Upon awakening, its flight was tested with a decibel meter, confirming its silent flight was restored. The owl was then released, soaring back into the wild, much to the relief and joy of the sanctuary staff who cared for it.