On December 28, 2011, NJAFA received a call from “Marie” who saw this beautiful owl on the side of the road by the Atlantic City Expressway. Dickens had been hit by a car and his eye was badly injured. Marie called for hours trying to find someone to help the owl including Fish and Game, other rescues, NJSPCA,Winslow Police, Animal Control and finally contacted NJAFA.
NJAFA President, Kathy McGuire, never captured an owl before but thought how hard could it be? She threw a sheet over the owl and gathered the ends.Poor baby was in shock with his eye bleeding. We took “Dickens’ the Owl to our friends at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.
All winter we kept in touch with Cedar Run to see how Dickens was progressing. He continued to heal.
On May 25, five months later,Dickens successfully took flight in a wooded park one mile from where he was found. Dickens took off and immediately found a cool pine tree on which to perch. It was a great experience and a wonderful day for all involved. Dickens flapped his great wings and was off.
Do you think he remembers where he came from? Birds of prey mate for life. Do you think he will find his mate? Let us know what you think about a bird gone for five months from their habitat? Will he find a mouse tonight for dinner? Visit our facebook and let us know.
PEOPLE DO NOT THROW FOOD OUT OF YOUR CAR… THE RAPTORS LIKE EAGLES, HAWKS, AND OWLS AND THE POSSOMS AND OTHER WILDLIFE WILL TRY TO GET THE FOOD AND GET HIT AND KILLED!
Marie, Dickens and his rescuers
Jeanne Woodford, Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Dickens and Kathy McGuire, President, NJ Aid for Animals
Dickens
Dickens just before release
I'm Free
Free at Last