E-Insight

July 2004

Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Releases Great Horned Owl After Unique Surgery

Congratulations to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and the veterinary team at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital on the successful release of a great horned owl following a series of surgeries and intense rehabilitation. The story was covered in the Fort Collins Coloradoan and other media.

The owl was released back to the wild in June. The raptor had been treated for broken bones and a severely injured eye after being brought to the Raptor Program in February 2003. The wounded owl was found near Severance, Colorado , where it may have flown into a power line or been hit by a vehicle.

At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, surgeons operated on the bird’s wing, which was twisted 360 degrees, as well as performed several surgeries to attempt to repair an infected, ulcerated cut on the owl's eyeball. Because of the extreme injuries to the eye, staff did not expect to be able to release the bird back into the wild.

A final surgery, performed as a desperate attempt to save the bird's eye, is the first known surgery of its kind. The damaged portion of the cornea was removed and the cornea was then sutured. The eye healed perfectly following the unique surgery, and the owl retained sight in the injured eye. Because the eye surgery and physical rehabilitation were so successful, the owl was able to return to the wild and was released at the CSU’s Environmental Learning Center were it quickly took flight.