Army veterinarians capture injured owl

By U.S. ArmyDecember 18, 2015

Public Health Command veterinarian captures injured owl
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

While travelling to a routine commercial audit in Bryan, Texas, two Army veterinarians captured an injured owl on a narrow bridge on U.S. Highway 190, preventing further injury to the bird and potential risk to motorists.

Capt. Dawn Hull and Capt. Richard Blair parked in a safe location off the highway, made a risk assessment and contacted the local authorities for assistance. Animal control provided necessary traffic control on the highway for a rescue attempt.

Blair, who is in the First Year Graduate Veterinary Education Program, has also been trained in safe owl handling. Using a large old paper bag he found along the side of the road he made an owl-capturing blanket. Hull, Chief, North Texas Branch Public Health Command District Fort Hood drove the rescue vehicle while Blair exited the vehicle to rescue the owl. The owl was unable to fly but attempted to evade capture. After initially eluding Blair, the injured owl was caught without harm. The team drove to a safe location off the highway to place the owl into a cage provided by an animal control officer. The owl, identified as a Barred Owl, was transported to Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine for proper medical care.

Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine Zoological Medicine Department triaged and stabilized the owl with heat and fluid therapy. Radiographs revealed the owl had multiple fractures in the distal left wing close to the joint rendering a poor prognosis. The owl was subsequently euthanized, preventing further suffering.