An unlucky Barred Owl sat in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The owl was admitted to the Raptor Trauma Clinic at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey last week after lightning struck the tree in which he rested. He didn’t sustain a direct hit, but suffered eye trauma and was covered in burnt leaves, Spanish moss, and singed feathers. He received supportive care, eye drops, and anti-inflammatory medications to help treat his injuries.

Good news: he is already out of the Clinic and in the flight barn where he can regain his strength and stamina before release into the wild.

The Center’s ultimate goal is to rehabilitate and release every raptor that comes to our care, and just over 40% of our raptor patients can be returned to the wild. Patients that survive but cannot be returned to their natural habitat due to their disability are placed in qualified zoological parks or nature centers across the country.

To learn more about the Center for Birds of Prey, click here.