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baby owl rescued by EAMTs

Caught on Camera: A Baby Owl is Rescued at AHS’ Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus

Written by: Arizona Humane Society
The Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ Rescue a Baby Owl!

While it is common to come across cats, dogs, and critters at the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), it is not as common to come across owls. Or is it? For the past several years, AHS’ arena, located near the barn at its Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus, has been home to owls who take up residence in the arena during breeding season in the spring.

Each spring, the little family greets – with very watchful eyes – AHS’ animal rescuers as they grab their ambulances for a day of rescuing the Valley’s homeless pets. However, recently, things took a turn as AHS EAMTs found a baby owl, just a few months old, who had fallen out of the arena’s rafters.

It appears that the owlet was trying to practice flying from the rafters to the hood of AHS’ Chevrolet ambulances – hence his new name of Chevy – when he fell onto the ground and was unable to fly back up. With mom and dad nearby, AHS’ EAMTs Andy Gallo and Cynthia McGuire (pictured) immediately called Wild at Heart Raptor rescue to ask how to proceed. Due to concerns involving nearby construction, increased coyotes in the area, and the baby being too young to fly, they asked that EAMTs transport the baby to them as they didn’t feel the owlet would survive throughout the day.

EAMT Cynthia with baby owlFor both Andy and Cynthia, the rescue was special. Andy posted, “Rescued this gorgeous owl today! Fell from his area, and there were coyotes everywhere! I called Wild at Heart, and they said it would be best to get him out of harm’s way. They will care for him and set him free!”

Cynthia said being able to transport the owl to Wild at Heart and knowing that he will go into a foster owl family was the best feeling. Next to getting to hold him, of course.

Click below to watch more on this incredible story.

While we always recommend that people who come across babies in the wild, whether they are kittens or wildlife, never intervene and leave them be for their moms to return, this case was unique due to a variety of safety concerns. It is times like this that specialized rescue groups are called upon to determine what gives the young animal its best chance of survival.

Now, safely at Wild at Heart, the baby will be placed with a foster owl family, and they anticipate the little owlet will be flying in no time at all. As the owlet gets older, they will also be able to tell whether it is a boy or girl. Once old enough to fly, the little one will be set free. And who knows, maybe he will return to visit his rescuers.

Chevy is one of more than 6,000 animals that AHS’ EAMTs and Animal Cruelty Investigators rescue each year. Learn more at azhumane.org.