Mending a Broken Wing

An orange-eyed owl wears a purple towel like a thick-collared winter coat. The rehabilitator behind wears a blue nylon tee and holds the rugby ball sized bundle of bird with fanned fingers that meet mid-torso, thumbs obscured. The owl rotates his head a touch, watching someone or something left of frame. His plumicorns are tall and V-shaped toward the beak, complemented by an angled brow that gives an expression of subdued rage.

Photo: ASHLEIGH PIENAAR

Original post – 15 Apr 2020
by Johannesburg Wildlife Vet

located in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦
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Original text:

GORGEOUS PATIENT: This Cape eagle owl (Bubo capensis) was transferred to us from the Cluny Animal Trust. We discovered, upon examination, that the owl had an old fracture of the right tibiotarsus [the big ol’ leg bone below the femur]. This had healed on its own over time and he (by now identified as a male) had adapted to using the leg.

Sans towel, the owl is now shackled at the feet by the rehabber's clenched hand, and held in the other at a 45 degree angle, the way one might wield a cudgel or a tennis racket. Heretofore unseen is the injured wing, wrapped with cyan gauze and affixed with pink elastic plaster. Also on display is the owl's full plumage in shades of dark brown and mottled with patches of tan and white. The owl looks directly at the camera with eyes W-I-D-E. The rage from the previous photo is no longer subdued.

Photo: ASHLEIGH PIENAAR

The reason for his admission was in fact a right wrist fracture. The wing was strapped into the correct position. He had a few weeks of cage rest as well as physiotherapy to assist with healing. Once the fracture had healed, the owl was placed in a large flight enclosure to further strengthen the wing.
He was ringed and was successfully released back where he came from.

The original post is capped with the note:

We treat indigenous wildlife, free of charge, relying on the community for donations and support.

Link to donate to Johannesburg Wildlife Vet for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Bubo capensisCape Eagle-OwlWiki link

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