May 01, 2024
Shaw Local
NewsSubscribePrep SportsObituariesFriday Night DriveeNewspaperLocal EventsShaw Local RadioStarved Rock Country

Mendota police rescue great horned owl struck by squad car

Owl appears to be OK, but will be examined for injuries

By Derek Barichello

A great horned owl was struck by a Mendota police squad car on Sunday, but it has been taken to a certified rehabilitator for care. (Photo provided)

A great horned owl was taken to a trained veterinarian and rehabilitator after it was struck by a Mendota police car Monday morning.

The officer recovered the owl immediately after he struck it and secured it in a kennel overnight. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police were contacted and Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire transported the owl to Dr. Robert Harms at Countryside Animal Clinic in Streator.

“The owl appeared to be in good shape,” Wire said. “They are a fragile bird, but as far as issues, there appeared to be a little blood around the nose, but there didn’t appear to be any major issues. Dr. Harms will be able to tell if there are any broken bones.”

Sgt. Phil Wire of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police takes custody of a great horned owl that was struck by a Mendota Police Department vehicle earlier Monday. (Photo provided)

Wire said Harms, along with LeeAnn Johnson, are federally permitted with Illinois Valley Community College to work on injured owls for rehabilitation.

According to IDNR, an adult great horned owl is 18 to 25 inches long. Both the male and female are similar in appearance. The body feathers are brown, and the rust-colored belly feathers have black markings. The throat and chest feathers are white. Tufts of feathers or “horns” are present on each side of the head that give rise to the “great horned” common name. The face is flattened and has yellow eyes. The talons are large and hooked for catching prey, and their feet are feathered.

The great horned owl lives in woodlands and thickets. This bird is a nocturnal bird of prey that eats other birds, cats, opossums, skunks, squirrels, woodchucks and nearly anything else it can kill.

What to do:

If anyone strikes an owl with their vehicle, they should stop to help it. They can contact the Illinois State Police at 815-224-1171 for assistance. If they are able, they can place the owl in a cardboard box — not too tight of quarters to further injure the owl, yet not too large to give the owl space to jump around and further injure itself. The box should be well-ventilated and kept dark. A blanket should be placed with the owl for it to keep its warmth. And the box should be kept in a quiet area: avoid barking dogs or lots of chatter that would stress the owl, Wire said.

A rehabilitator with IDNR should be contacted immediately at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/LawEnforcement/Documents/IllinoisWildliferehabilitationList.pdf