Durango, USA – A young male great horned owl was rescued this week after a neighbor spotted it on the ground in a neighborhood west of Durango.

CPW’s Public Information Officer and Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Steve McClung responded, guided to the owl by a crowd of crows. The owl attempted to fly but could not gain altitude, allowing McClung to safely capture it.

Initial assessment revealed minor cuts on one leg and the strong smell of skunk spray, but no obvious broken bones. The owl was transported to Durango Animal Hospital for further evaluation.

Veterinarian Chuck Hawman noted the owl was dehydrated, underweight, and had cold legs. Imaging showed no bone fractures, though he suspected trauma to its left shoulder and some bruising. The owl received fluids and was warmed in an incubator before being prepared for transfer.

On Friday, the owl was moved to CPW’s Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility in Del Norte. It will spend several weeks eating and resting before starting flight conditioning to regain strength for a safe release back into the wild.

CPW expressed gratitude to the neighbor who reported the owl and to Dr. Hawman and the Durango Animal Hospital team for their assistance in giving the injured raptor a second chance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download