At The Hometown Veterinarian, we often find ourselves at the heart of unique and impactful stories. One of the most memorable from this past year involves a young Barred Owl we affectionately named Sirius. His journey from a roadside rescue to becoming an educational ambassador was recently featured in an article by Garry Brandenburg in the Times Republican.
In August, Sirius was found injured along Iowa Avenue west of Marshalltown, likely the result of a collision with a vehicle while hunting. He was brought to our clinic, where we discovered compound fractures in his right wing. Despite the severity of his injuries, we were determined to give Sirius the best chance at recovery.
Dr. Grant Jacobson, a carreer-long member of The Association of Avian Veterinarians, having decades of experience working wirth birds used advanced surgical techniques, we aligned and stabilized his broken wing bones with the hope that he might regain full mobility. Birds' wings are delicate structures, and repairing them requires precision and care. Sirius's recovery process involved immobilizing the wing to allow for healing, but we knew that his ability to return to the wild would depend on the full functionality of his wing.
Unfortunately, while Sirius's bones healed well, his right wing's articulation remains limited, making it unlikely that he could survive in the wild. However, his story doesn't end there. Thanks to the incredible work of the team at Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary near Independence, Iowa, Sirius now serves as an educational ambassador for wildlife conservation. His presence helps teach visitors about the importance of protecting Iowa's native wildlife and the challenges these animals face.
Barred Owls, like Sirius, are common in Iowa's forests. These nocturnal birds of prey are known for their distinctive call that sounds like they’re saying, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” They are non-migratory birds that hunt small mammals and birds, often gliding silently through the night sky to catch their prey. Unfortunately, their hunting strategies can put them at risk for collisions with vehicles.
Sirius’s story is a reminder of the delicate balance between wildlife and human activity. It also highlights the critical role of wildlife rehabilitation efforts in giving injured animals a second chance at life. We are incredibly grateful to the good Samaritan who brought Sirius to us, to the team at Wildthunder for their continued care, and to the Times Republican for sharing his story.
To read the full article by Garry Brandenburg and see photos of Sirius’s journey, please click on the image below:
Thank you to everyone who supports our mission to provide compassionate care for all animals, big and small, domestic and wild.
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