By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The recent rescue of an injured great horned owl in Crenshaw County highlights the importance of local action, specialized knowledge and conservation resources in tackling wildlife challenges. 

The situation began unfolding when John Edward and Lisa Motes discovered the incapacitated owl on their property. Lisa expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative effort that helped rescue the injured bird.

“We came out to go to work in the morning and it was under the carport,” Lisa said. “We noticed it wasn’t moving very much and when my husband approached it, the owl leapt to the brick wall next to the carport. I first called the game warden who told me that his department does not deal with this kind of thing.” 

Unsure of what to do, Lisa said she reached out to her neighbor, Stacey Mobley, who works in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Luverne. Mobley was off that day, and promptly responded to the call with her husband, just in the knick of time.

“Hawks were attacking the owl when we got there,” Mobley said. “After we secured the owl, I called Kendall Preston, a wildlife biologist who works out of our Luverne office.”

Preston assessed the owl’s condition and transported the wounded bird to the Southeastern Raptor Center in Auburn. Specialists there discovered the owl had a torn retina that would affect his ability to hunt for prey. 

The Center’s mission is to restore injured wildlife to full health whenever possible, facilitating their reintegration into natural habitats. By utilizing the center’s online system, rescuers and others can monitor the progress of birds in their care.

Preston highlighted critical considerations when dealing with injured wildlife.  A Quill Forever, a nonprofit organization collaborating with NRCS, bridges critical gaps in conservation services by addressing wildlife-related challenges and supporting federal programs like the U.S. Farm Bill. 

“The owl rescue highlights the valuable and widely varying resources available to landowners, farmers and community members,” said Preston. “Crenshaw County has so much to offer and so much potential in terms of support for wildlife, conservation efforts and agriculture. I encourage everyone to explore the services offered at the Luverne NRCS office and learn more about what the Crenshaw County Extension can provide.”

Preston, who serves 14 counties, explained that her role with A Quill Forever involves providing technical assistance on wildlife-related issues, including cases like this. The organization partners with the NRCS to offer services where federal resources might not be readily available.  

Preston emphasized the importance of contacting experts when encountering injured wildlife. 

“If you ever find a wild animal, be sure to call someone qualified before attempting to handle it,” Preston advised. “Resources such as the Outdoor Alabama website provide a list of certified wildlife rehabilitators for mammals, birds and reptiles.”

Preston highlighted the risks of avian influenza in wild birds and emphasized the need for proper hygiene when dealing with birds to prevent its spread.

Individuals who encounter injured wildlife should consult the Outdoor Alabama rehabilitation page at www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife/wildlife-rehabilitation for guidance and support from qualified experts.