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submitted 11 months ago by anon6789@lemmy.world to c/superbowl@lemmy.world

From Salthaven Wildlife Rehab

This Great Horned Owl was found on the roadside showing neurological symptoms, likely from a vehicle collision. He's responding well to treatment. In this photo he is receiving fluids and electrolytes, with solid foods to be introduced as he continues to heal.

Great Horned Owls are crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active at dawn, dusk, and night. Unfortunately, that is also when visibility is lowest for drivers. The vibrations of vehicles can often stir up small prey along roadsides, drawing owls and other wildlife dangerously close to traffic.

To help keep both you and wildlife safe:

-Slow down at dawn and dusk

-Stay alert for movement along the road's edge

-Use high beams when safe to increase visibility

-Avoid throwing food scraps from vehicles, which attract prey (and predators) to roadsides

Every small action can make a big difference for wildlife.

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[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 19 points 11 months ago
[-] onigiri@sh.itjust.works 7 points 11 months ago

Poor thing looks pretty out of it.

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

It's got to be a stressful experience, even though it's for their benefit. Poor bird. 😔

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 16 points 11 months ago

Tube feeding the owl gets the liquid down the esophagus safely. The tongue has the glottis, the opening to the trachea and lungs, so care needs to be taken that nothing ends up going down there. Using the tube to get well past that helps keep the bird safe.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

Aw, poor Dizzy Dean! Get better fella!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

I always feel bad when I have to force a critter to eat. I have to imagine at least owls shouldn't have much/any gag reflex, given how they eat food whole generally.

It's sometimes step one to getting back to health though, so I just try to keep them as relaxed as I can.

[-] mtpender@piefed.social 4 points 11 months ago

This has meme potential...

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

These could help...

this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2025
110 points (100.0% liked)

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