From California Raptor Center

This past May, a fledgling Great Horned Owl was found on the ground near the Dixon Waste Water Plant. It is assumed that he suffered head trauma. Officer Michael Barnett of Solano Humane Animal Services, who also happens to be a CRC volunteer in his free time, retrieved the owl and brought it to our facility in Davis.

During the owl's intake at the CRC, he was diagnosed with head trauma, severe mydriasis (dilated pupil) on the right side, anisocoria (uneven pupils), and superficial corneal ulcer. It is suspected that these conditions resulted from optic nerve inflammation, likely caused by the head trauma. After treatment, the owl recovered from his head trauma and corneal ulcer, but his severe mydriasis remained. After consultation with ophthalmology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, it was suggested that he could still see from his right eye despite the chronic pupil dilation.

Eventually, the owl flew, navigated, and landed on perches well at the CRC's aviary, leading to his transfer to Lindsay Wildlife Experience for live prey hunting. He graduated from "mouse school" after being very successful at hunting live prey in Lindsay's aviary, and then was transferred back to the CRC for release.

After confirmation from the City of Dixon Engineering Department, we were able to release the owl at the Valley Glen Drainage Pond, which was somewhat near where he came from, but a much better habitat. Officer Barnett released the owl he helped rescue. The owl exited the box, took a quick hover to look around, and ultimately flew off into the night.