OSU Veterinary Center To Release Rescued Owl

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences invites the public to watch a wild barred owl being released on Saturday, April 10, immediately following the center’s Annual Open House, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 

The owl release will follow a short lecture on wildlife rehabilitation with emphasis on owl conservation at 3:30 p.m. in Room 104 at the center’s Veterinary Medical Hospital. The owl will be released at 4 p.m. near the veterinary center’s flight cages which are located at the intersection of West Virginia Ave. and Mar Vista Street, just west of the veterinary center.

During Open House the public will be able to visit booths on aspects of veterinary medicine, tour the Veterinary Medical Hospital, see demonstrations and participate in a host of family-friendly activities. Visit http://cvhs.okstate.edu/cvhs-annual-open-house for the full program.

The owl being released was brought to the hospital by Stillwater Animal Control after a member of the public reported seeing an owl next to a road. Two fractures were diagnosed on x-rays or radiographs. The Avian, Exotics and Zoo Medicine Service stabilized the fractures and used laser therapy to improve the healing process while reducing inflammation and pain. On recheck X-rays, the fractures were considered to be resolved and the owl was placed in a flight cage to practice flight. Based on her behavior and flight capacity in the flight cage, the owl has been considered ready for release.

The OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences’ Wildlife Fund is supported by the OSU Foundation. Members of the public may donate money to the Avian, Exotics and Zoo Medicine Service which allows the hospital to treat cases like the owl with the same standards as client-owned animals are cared for. To support the OSU wildlife service, please contact Heather Clay, Sr. Director of Development at (405) 385-5607 or hclay@osugiving.com.