Imagine being injured and stuck in the worst place possible – a stinky manure pit. Sounds like a nightmare, right?
Well, that’s exactly where a great horned owl ended up. But despite how bad it started, this story has a heartwarming and surprising twist.
No one’s sure exactly how this amazing bird ended up in such a mess. What we do know is that a State Game Warden noticed him and quickly realized something had to be done.
The owl was in rough shape – dehydrated and badly hurt, especially around his eyes. And here’s the crazy part: someone had shot him with a BB gun. Yep, you read that right. This poor owl had been shot.
Knowing how serious the situation was, the warden made an urgent call to the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Pennsylvania.
This is where our real-life heroes come in – the dedicated team at Raven Ridge. These folks didn’t waste a second. They rushed in, ready to do whatever it took to save this owl.
When they finally got the owl out, they saw just how bad it was, as they shared on Facebook:
“This Owl was stuck in a manure pit for at least two days, and upon arrival it was evident that he was severely dehydrated, weak, eye trauma, and layers of dried manure. We were able to bathe the owl very carefully, start fluids and eye treatment.”
While they were treating him, Tracie Young from Raven Ridge made another shocking discovery. The BB pellet that caused all this suffering was still lodged in the owl’s eye socket.
No wonder this bird was suffering so much, can you imagine the pain it must have felt?
At first, they called him “Stinky” because, well, he smelled pretty bad after everything. But as he started to recover and his story unfolded, it was clear he needed a name that matched his strong spirit.
So, they renamed him “Lucky”, a name that truly fits his amazing comeback.
But why should Lucky’s story matter to us? Well, because it’s more than just a rescue story.
It reminds us of the terrible things animals can go through because of human actions, but it also showcases the good that can come from people who choose to help.
Lucky’s story has touched the hearts of many, reminding us once again of our responsibility toward our fellow creatures.
Lucky was lucky indeed. After extensive treatment and a long rehabilitation, he has fully recovered, as Raven Ridge Wildlife Center shared:
“We continued treatment and daily eye exams by our Veterinarian for any underlying conditions or damage. The owl was moved into outdoor caging so we could monitor flight, perching, landings and able to find food. After passing with flying colors “Lucky” was ready for the big day! This Great Horned Owl, has got to be one of the luckiest owls to have survived and be able to gain freedom once again after such a trauma. We are so elated to share the big day, as the owl wasted no time taking flight into the tall pine trees.”
Thanks to the team at Raven Ridge, Lucky healed up nicely, and he definitely doesn’t smell like his old nickname anymore! Just look at him fly, glorious!
Remember, if you ever come across an injured wild animal, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They can provide the help needed or guide you on the next steps to take.