From Sheida Soleimani
Wildlife rehab work never stops. On Christmas Day, we admitted this very angry Great Horned Owl who became entangled in a backyard soccer net-likely while hunting. The homeowners did exactly the right thing by calling us and waiting for our team to arrive before attempting to free him.
Thankfully, there are no fractures, but he has significant soft-tissue swelling from struggling to escape and is understandably very sore. He'll be with us for the next few weeks on anti-inflammatory medication, with his wing wrapped as it heals. Once the swelling resolves, he'll begin flight conditioning as he works his way back to release.
Sports nets left up outdoors are a serious and often overlooked hazard for wildlife. Birds of prey, songbirds, and even mammals can become entangled-sometimes fatally-especially during nighttime hunting flights. Taking nets down when not in use can prevent these injuries.
Animals don't move on our schedules. Day or night, weekday or weekend, they're still out there navigating landscapes shaped by us. We're here for them-24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
