Injured owl seems to know where to go for aid

By Rex Springston

RICHMOND, VA -- In case you needed further proof that owls are wise, an injured one made its way to a federal wildlife office in eastern Henrico County.

The great horned owl, appearing stunned, was found Sunday about 10:30 a.m. crouching on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office in the 5700 block of South Laburnum Avenue.

"It was like he came to the wildlife people for help," said Sally Davis, owner of Tri-City Florist next to the wildlife office. Her husband, George, first saw the bird, and an animal-control officer took it away.

A doctor at Hanover Green Veterinary Clinic in Mechanicsville checked out the owl, which had a bump on its head and appeared confused but did not require surgery.

The bird now is under the care of a wildlife rehabilitator and will get some rest before it is released.

The bird should be released soon, said Dan Rolince, resident agent in charge of the Fish and Wildlife Service law-enforcement region that includes this area. The bird turned up in front of his office.

Rolince said it's possible the owl got hurt in traffic or flew into a window or other object. Rolince said he doubted someone would care enough to take the bird to the office and then abandon it there.

The wildlife service office, incidentally, is in the Byrd Center business park.