“This sassy girl is one of the lucky ones …”
One morning near West End, North Carolina, a homeowner stepped outside and was met with a chilling sight. Lying motionless on the grass was a barred owl, hopelessly tangled in an old soccer net that had been left unused in the yard.
At first glance, it was impossible to tell if the owl was even alive. Without hesitating, the homeowner called for help.
Rescuers Fear the Worst
Within minutes, Jess Reese, founder of Salem Wildlife Rescue (SWR), arrived at the scene — and what she saw made her heart sink.
“When I arrived, I thought she was dead from how she was laying there motionless in such a distorted position,” SWR shared on Facebook.
The owl’s feet were badly swollen, and the netting had tightened around her neck, wings and body, cutting off circulation. It looked grim — until Reese noticed something incredible.
“She was alive!”
A Race Against Time
The homeowner immediately gave Reese permission to cut through the net. Carefully, she sliced away the tangled strands, and moments later, the owl was finally free.
Though weak and limp, the bird was breathing. Reese gently placed her into a transport cage and rushed her to SWR, where the team began arranging care with a federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
A Fiery Spirit Emerges
At first, the owl remained still and quiet. But once safely inside the rescue, her true personality surfaced.
“Back at the rescue, she stood up and walked to the corner of the cage, clicking her beak at me and VERY angry!” SWR wrote.
To Reese, that anger was the best sign possible — it meant the owl still had strength and fight left in her.
On the Road to Recovery
After giving the owl time to rest, Reese carefully removed the remaining netting and conducted a full exam. While the bird had injuries to her legs and feet from the tight bindings, her outlook was hopeful.
“There are some injuries… but the other rehabber believes she will make a full recovery,” SWR shared.
A Warning That Could Save Lives
Sadly, this owl’s story is not rare. Wildlife rescuers frequently respond to animals trapped in sports netting, including owls, rabbits, foxes and deer. Many aren’t as lucky.
In their panic, animals often tighten the nets around themselves, leading to severe injuries or death. And most of these tragedies are completely preventable.
“This sassy girl is one of the lucky ones,” SWR wrote. “But there are many who don’t survive. Please put nets away when they aren’t being used — especially overnight.”
Sometimes, a simple action like storing a soccer net can mean the difference between life and death for a wild animal. 🦉💔➡️💛