An owl fell into a concrete mixer in southern Utah. Thanks to caregivers, its future is bright

A great horned owl fell into a concrete mixer several months ago, and ended up with 25% of its body covered in the thick, but dry cement mess.

The two-pound male owl is now recovering at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, but handlers say it has a long road ahead of him.

It is the first time Best Friends’ staff had seen a case like this in its 40-year history, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s Wild Friends supervisor Bart Richwalski.

“We reached out to other wildlife rehabilitators and they had never heard of an owl falling into concrete before, either,” Richwalski said. “After doing some research, our team quickly came up with a plan to help the owl in the least invasive way possible.”

That plan included a 20-minute daily bath while the owl was under anesthesia. Thankfully, after a series of concrete removals from the face, chest and right wing, the owl has been recovering well and has a positive prognosis.

A great-horned owl has concrete removed from his feathers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. The owl came into Best Friends’ care after falling into a cement mixer. (Best Friends Animal Society)

“This was a brand new situation for the Wild Friends team and they really stepped up to the plate to do their best for this owl,” said Judah Battista, Best Friends Animal Society’s chief sanctuary officer. “Their innovative approach and compassionate care is such a beautiful testament to Best Friends’ belief that every animal deserves a second chance.”

Michelle Sathe, public and marketing strategist for the Kanab facility, said the organization received a call from the Division of Wildlife Resources on Oct. 31 regarding the owl’s predicament. It was found in St. George, but quickly whisked away early Nov. 1 by Best Friends.

The owl will need to stay in the sanctuary’s care until the spring or summer, which is when molting is expected to occur and he can once again resume silent flight.

After that, the owl can be released back into the wild, ideally in a wooded area near where he was found.

“He still has a long road ahead of him, but he’s a fighter,” Richwalski said.

Richwalski estimates that the owl is a juvenile male, born earlier this year. Initially, the owl was recovering indoors, residing in a medium-sized soft carrier that allowed staff to handle him more easily. Recently, the owl graduated to an outdoor enclosure where he has been able to ascend to a six-foot perch, a sign that his recovery continues to go well.

Animal rescues

All sorts of animals, both domesticated and wild, often find themselves in life-threatening situations which necessitate action by first responders, animal control officers and passersby

Ducklings fall down in storm sewer drains and are trapped. Deer can end up in lined, cement canals, unable to escape.

In Atlantic City, an escapee from an animal shelter wound up in a chilly bay with a catch pole around its neck.

When a police officer could not immediately get help to the dog, he braved the water, swam 100 yards against the current and pulled it to safety.