Injured owl rescued at Barefoot, receiving treatment for broken legs

By RUBEN LOWMAN

A Good Samaritan saved an injured great horned owl from the road at Barefoot Resort last weekend, with city first responders helping rescue the bird and provide medical care to its wounds.

The owl was brought into the North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue firehouse at Barefoot on Saturday evening, Jan. 28, suffering from visible injuries and in dire need of attention.

The male great horned owl was assessed by NMBFR crews, who contacted Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The local wildlife rehab center sent one of their team members to examine the extent of the owl’s injuries, and he was taken to their closest facility so he could be monitored more extensively. It was discovered that the owl was suffering from two broken legs and will be receiving further medical treatment locally before being transferred to another one of CWRC’s facilities to recover.

“Sadly both of his legs are broken, left leg has a compound fracture, no wing injuries. He is scheduled to for surgery to try to fix them, praying he’s able to make a full recovery,” the center said. “Great Horned Owls are amazing creatures and absolutely beautiful. Thank you all so much for reaching out to get the owl help!”

Receiving special commendation for their great work to help the fallen owl were NMBFR Lt. Travis Spring and Firefighter 1st Class Darrin Jacques.

Thanks to the efforts of a local lifesaver, the emergency personnel at the Engine 5 firehouse and an area wildlife center, the owl may one day soon be able to fly the night skies again.