Austin

Austin Animal Center Rescues Injured Owl, Urges Public to Call Experts for Wildlife Incidents

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Published on February 26, 2025
Austin Animal Center Rescues Injured Owl, Urges Public to Call Experts for Wildlife IncidentsSource: Facebook / Austin Animal Center

An injured owl discovered near an Austin park over the weekend is now under the care of professionals, according to local reports. The Austin Animal Center, through social media, shared that the bird was "unable to fly or move away" when it was found at the park. "Our team safely secured the bird, and it’s now on its way to receive specialized care at Austin Wildlife Rescue," the center said, as noted by KXAN.

After animal protection officers responded to a call this Saturday, they managed to quickly assist the owl which was struggling to make any movement. According to CBS Austin, "the team secured the bird and was taken to Austin Wildlife Rescue, where it's currently getting specialized care." Local authorities urge the community to not try to directly handle any sick or injured wildlife they come across, emphasizing that these animals may become easily stressed or act defensively.

The handling of wildlife should be left to trained personnel to ensure the safety of both the animal and the public. Injured animals, such as the owl found near the park, require professional medical attention and care that wildlife rescue organizations are equipped to provide. Whenever residents encounter these situations, the recommended course of action is to maintain a safe distance and immediately contact the local animal services.

If someone stumbles upon sick or injured wildlife within Austin, the official advice is to "not attempt to handle the animal themselves" for everyone's safety. Instead, authorities insist on calling 311 for Animal Protection assistance so their officers can to safely respond and appropriately handle the situation. "Wild animals can be easily stressed or may react defensively when approached," Austin Animal Center warned, as reported by KXAN. This guidance aims to prevent potential hazards that uninformed rescues might provoke.