She needed help right away.
Earlier this month, a woman driving through southwest Michigan on a family visit noticed a bright yellow bag lying along the edge of the road. Irritated by what appeared to be roadside litter, she pulled over to remove it.
Her frustration quickly turned to shock. The item was a large animal feed sack, tightly secured with twine and punctured by small holes. Inside the bag was a living owl, with a zip tie tightly fastened around one of her feet.
The driver immediately opened the bag and tried to coax the owl into flying away. When the bird didn’t respond, she suspected the owl was badly stressed or dehydrated. She waited nearby, hoping the bird would recover enough to move on, but there was no change.
Realizing the situation was serious, the woman contacted the West Michigan Wildlife Center and transported the owl to their facility.
Wildlife staff quickly identified the bird as a great horned owl and began emergency treatment. She was given fluids and pain relief, and the zip tie restricting her foot was carefully removed. The tight binding had cut off circulation, leading to significant swelling.
“She was placed in a quiet, dark environment so the pain medication could take effect,” said Allyson Swanson, executive director of the West Michigan Wildlife Center. “After that, we conducted a full evaluation and began treating the injured foot.”
According to Swanson, it’s still uncertain whether the damage to the owl’s foot will be permanent. In addition to the injury, staff discovered the owl is blind in one eye — a serious challenge for a bird of prey that relies heavily on sharp vision, even in low light.
Due to the severity of her condition, the owl was transferred to Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center in Eaton Rapids, a partner facility equipped to provide continuous monitoring.
Since her arrival at Wildside, the owl has made notable progress. Caregivers administer regular foot treatments and eye medication, and her overall health continues to improve.
“Some of her medications help keep her calm,” Swanson said, “but her strong and spirited personality still shines through.”
The owl’s case has been reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, though no updates regarding an investigation have been shared publicly.
Despite the cruelty she endured and the challenges ahead, the great horned owl’s recovery is moving in a positive direction.
“I believe that the number of people working together to help her is giving her the best possible chance,” Swanson said. “We’re hopeful for a good outcome.”