BC SPCA is seeking the public’s help in healing for a barred owl that was hit by a car. The owl was operated on to have one of its eyes removed. After removing the eye, the hole will be sewn shut.
Once the owl recovers, staff will assess her ability to hunt before release. At present, the owl is on pain meds and in pretty rough shape. 
The owl also suffered trauma to her keel (chest/sternum), as well as a swollen ear. The surgery and costs related to care are currently estimated to be at more than $2,700.
While this owl needs extra special care, owls being hit by cars are common this time of year due to the fact that they hunt at dawn and dusk during low light – high traffic periods.
“This unfortunate incident is a reminder that birds like owls — and other raptors — are extremely vulnerable at this time of year ,” says Meg Hatch, assistant manager, Wild ARC.
“We hope people will do their part to ensure risks are minimized or eliminated on our roads.” Hatch says it’s not just about driving carefully and be careful to not toss food scrap from cars.
Hatch notes scraps on the side of the road can draw out rodents — in turn drawing out the birds hunting them for food. “We are optimistic this owl can live out a normal life, as owls assess depth not with their eyes, but with their ears. Once this bird has recovered, staff will assess the bird’s ability to hunt before release.”
If you’re able to help this owl, or other animals like her, you can visit BC SPCA’s medical emergency page, or you can make a donation in-person at Wild ARC, located at 1020 Malloch Rd., in Victoria.
Russ Paton says
So… I am all for being humane but this Owl is an Invasive species and is displacing Native species. At best it should be treated humanly and kept on a sanctuary or other program and not released to the environment. The government actually has a kill program for them. Proper research should be done when one is reporting.