A Resilient Bird's Journey to Recovery

In the vast landscapes of southwestern Utah, a remarkable story of survival and resilience unfolded. A young great horned owl, later identified as a male due to its smaller size, found itself in a dire situation. It had somehow ended up inside a cement mixer, resulting in its face, chest, and right wing being encased in dried concrete. This unfortunate incident occurred at the Black Desert Resort, and the owl was promptly transported to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, for urgent care. Upon arrival, the sanctuary workers sprang into action. Their first priority was to ensure the bird could breathe comfortably. Over the next few days, they meticulously worked to remove the concrete using forceps and cleaned the owl's feathers with toothbrushes, dish soap, and their fingers. The process was painstaking, but the owl's fighting spirit kept it going. Great horned owls are known for their silent flight, thanks to the downy coating on their feathers. However, the concrete had damaged the rescued owl's feathers, causing them to make a "whooshing" sound as it flew. This noise could potentially alert prey, making hunting more difficult. Therefore, the sanctuary decided to keep the owl in an aviary until it sheds its damaged feathers and regains its silent flight capability. This process is expected to take until next spring or summer. The owl's recovery has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite the odds, it has shown remarkable resilience and determination. The sanctuary workers have grown fond of the bird, admiring its fighting spirit. Once the owl has fully recovered, the plan is to release it back into the wild, near its original habitat but away from the construction site where the accident occurred. This will give the owl the best chance to thrive in its natural environment.