From Blue Ridge Wildlife
Even seemingly harmless manmade items, like this metal garden sculpture, can create serious hazards for our native wildlife. This Great Horned Owl wound up entrapped in this sculpture resulting in fractures to the digits of both feet and minor eyelid trauma as the bird tried to get free.
Once in care we were able to separate the owl from this artwork, get radiographs to assess the severity of the fractures, and sedate to close some of the open wounds on the feet. With strong pain medications, antibiotics, and stabilization of the foot fractures, we are hopeful that this bird will make a full recovery.
Anything can become a danger to wildlife and in some cases, these can be quite unexpected items! You can help wildlife by being observant in your own yard and taking the time NOW to think about what you would do if you found a wild animal in need.
Save our phone number (and the numbers of other local rehabilitators) so that you can call in the event of an emergency. There’s nothing worse than trying to search for numbers while you are actively dealing with an emergency! Always be sure to leave a voicemail. Our state list of permitted rehabilitators can be found in the comments, but you can generally find lists for any state by searching “licensed wildlife rehabilitators in [state]” or using apps like Animal Help Now.
Animal control officers and state game wardens can be an amazing resource in many places, but training and availability may vary by county and state. In most cases, animal control can be reached by calling your county’s non-emergency police line.
Websites like ours and other reputable wildlife centers often have excellent information that may help you assess the situation before you hear back from a rehabilitator. Familiarize yourself with these websites now. Do not rely on information from google or local community social media pages for wildlife advice - there is so much incorrect and dangerous information out there!
Thank you to the original finder who called for help and the animal control officer of Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s Office for this rescue! We hope to have this owl feeling better soon!
Shepard’s hooks are another common culprit for snagging animal legs. It’s recommended to fill in those gaps.
Thanks, need to fix mine. Recommended wrapping?
Electrical tape is commonly used since it blends in well. Duct tape is popular also since just about everyone has it.
To go slightly more specialty, I’d say the best things won’t have a sticky residue like an adhesive backed tape does. In my experience, electrical tape seems to get sticky and sometimes unravels when it gets hot a lot. The twine and medical tape don’t have the sticky, a cloth strip would work too, and on the plus side, birds that can hang at odd angles may be able to perch on it while they wait their turn at the feeder, but it also seems like still a mild entanglement hazard especially as it ages. Best would probably be something rather inert and smooth, such as caulk, foam sealant, hot glue, or JB Weld. None of those will unravel or leave a stickiness, and should be pretty maintenance free for a good while.
I like your thought process and was all on board with it. Then I remembered I have a welder! And I’m always looking for more ways to justify the $500 spent on the kit. Seriously though, it provides unique and effective solutions and is worth it over time
I meant to include that option! That was my first thought, but I listed my ideas from most readily available and cheap to something you may have to grab from the store and by then it slipped my mind.
You’re going to have the sturdiest hook in town! 💪