Peace River Wildlife Center, CROW Release Rehabilitated Great Horned Owl

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), in collaboration with Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC), released a majestic Great Horned Owl back into its natural habitat on Sunday, May 12th at approximately 4pm in Rosen Park, Cape Coral, FL, it was jointly announced today by Tricia LaPointe, Executive Director, PRWC and Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director, CROW.

The Great Horned Owl, a symbol of wisdom and resilience in the animal kingdom, was discovered on April 16 in North Fort Myers in distress and emaciated in someone’s backyard. According to CROW’s Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Robin Bast, “Once the owl was stable, an x-ray showed a pellet was lodged in the animal’s shoulder. The pellet was safely removed while the animal was sedated.”

After a few days of rest and supportive care, the owl responded well to treatment and 11 days later, it was transferred to Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda for additional care in one of their large outdoor enclosures. CROW’s rehabilitation enclosures are currently under construction.

“We are so blessed to have such amazing partners supporting us as we continue our recovery efforts since Hurricane Ian,” says Hussey. “While we rebuild our outdoor enclosures, our partners, such as Peace River Wildlife Center, play an important role in the final process of our patient’s rehabilitation journey. Every step of the rehabilitation process was guided by our unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care and ensuring the owl’s eventual return to the wild,”

According to LaPointe, “Throughout its rehabilitation journey, the Great Horned Owl demonstrated continued progress, gradually regaining its strength and vitality. Regular assessments and monitoring allowed the rehabilitation team to adjust the treatment plan accordingly, ensuring optimal outcomes for the owl’s health and well-being.”

As the Great Horned Owl soars back into the embrace of nature, let us be reminded of the importance of preserving and protecting our natural world for future generations to cherish and enjoy.

About Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
Established in 1968, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital saving the sick, injured and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida and beyond. Through state-of-the-art veterinary care, public education programs and an engaging visitor center, CROW works to improve the health of the environment, humans and our animals through wildlife medicine. For more information, or to plan your visit, go to http://www.crowclinic.org. If you find an animal that is in need of help, call (239) 472-3644 ext. #222.

About Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC)
PRWC’s mission is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, and education. PRWC admits over 2,500 patients annually. If a bird or small mammal cannot be returned to its native habitat after treatment and recovery but is otherwise healthy, it could become a permanent resident of the center. The center typically has nearly 100 permanent wildlife residents on educational display.