A barn owl found in a field in Suffolk, England, on January 11, was rescued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). The owl was discovered unable to move, suffering from a punctured wing and suspected poisoning from consuming a rodent that had ingested poison.
RSPCA officer Natalie Read transported the owl to South Essex Wildlife Hospital (SEWH), a charity specializing in wildlife rehabilitation. The hospital team cleaned the owl's wing wound and administered antibiotics. Initially, the owl's condition was critical, with its prognosis uncertain.
Recent updates from both the RSPCA and SEWH indicate positive progress. The owl is responding well to treatment and is now able to stand and walk, although it remains weak. This incident highlights the dangers of rodenticides to non-target species and underscores the importance of humane pest control methods, such as natural repellents and live capture traps.
The RSPCA and SEWH continue to work tirelessly to save animals in distress, contributing to biodiversity and animal welfare.