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MELBOURNE, Fla. – A baby great horned owl is recovering after an all-hands rescue effort that involved volunteers with WILD Florida Rescue, the Melbourne Fire Department, a local veterinary professional, and a tree-climbing specialist who helped safely lower the owlet from a dangerous, wind-whipped perch.
In a social media update, WILD Florida Rescue described the response as “nothing short of amazing,” crediting a group of volunteer rescuers who worked through a difficult day to try to keep the baby owl with its mother.
According to the rescue organization, three volunteers stepped up on their day off to help coordinate the call, including Lorraine, Tara, and Ron. Rescuers then enlisted help from the Melbourne Fire Department “Tower 74” crew to reach the nest area in challenging conditions, with high winds and a nest location that was difficult to access.
WILD Florida Rescue publicly thanked members of the crew for assisting with the initial effort to get the owlet back into a nest, naming Lt. Todd Olsen, DE Robby Kleinschnitz, FF Jason Petronella, and FF Nicholas Lamb in its post.
But the situation remained uncertain. Rescuers said the owl’s mother was seen early in the morning, yet no other active nest with owl babies could be located nearby. They also reported finding debris from the nest on the ground, along with feathers and a rat, raising concerns about what may have happened before the rescue.
Rescuers stayed in the area to monitor whether the mother would return, a step the organization said is often successful. However, as conditions worsened, the owlet continued crying for warmth and food, and the mother still had not returned.
A longtime volunteer and veterinary technician from Eau Gallie Veterinary Hospital, Matt Persons, responded to assess the situation, WILD Florida Rescue said. With extremely cold temperatures, high winds, and a hungry owlet, the decision was made to retrieve the bird and transport it for care rather than risk further exposure.
Getting back up to the nest area was a challenge. The fire crew could not be re-called, and conditions made climbing unsafe for responders on scene. WILD Florida Rescue said a tree-climbing specialist who has previously partnered with the organization came out, assessed the risk, and coordinated a rope-assisted operation to lower the owlet safely, with multiple people helping on the ground.
After the rescue, the owlet was warmed and transported to a wildlife hospital for additional evaluation and treatment. WILD Florida Rescue said the bird appeared to be in good health and may be paired with another baby owl that also reportedly fell from a nest, likely during the same windy conditions.
Editor’s note: If you find an injured or displaced wild animal, experts generally recommend keeping a safe distance and contacting a licensed wildlife rescue for guidance rather than attempting to feed or handle the animal.
Courtesy: WILD Florida Rescue
