Owl Who Fell into Concrete Mixer Finds Hope at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

A great-horned owl that fell into a concrete mixer is slowly recovering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s Wild Friends certified rehabilitation center in Kanab, Utah, after recently coming into its care.  

With dried concrete covering approximately 25 percent of his two-pound body, it was the first time Best Friends' staff had seen a case like this in its 40-year history, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s Wild Friends supervisor, Bart Richwalski. 

“We reached out to other wildlife rehabilitators and they had never heard of an owl falling into concrete before, either,” Richwalski said. “After doing some research, our team quickly came up with a plan to help the owl in the least invasive way possible.” 

That plan included a 20-minute daily bath while the owl was under anesthesia. Thankfully, after a series of concrete removals from the face, chest and right wing, the owl has been recovering well and has a positive prognosis.  

“This was a brand-new situation for the Wild Friends team and they really stepped up to the plate to do their best for this owl,” said Judah Battista, Best Friends Animal Society’s Chief Sanctuary Officer. “Their innovative approach and compassionate care is such a beautiful testament to Best Friends’ belief that every animal deserves a second chance.”  

Richwalski estimates that the owl is a juvenile male, born earlier this year. Initially, the owl was recovering indoors, residing in a medium-sized soft carrier that allowed staff to handle him more easily. Recently, the owl graduated to an outdoor enclosure where he has been able to ascend to a 6-foot perch, a sign that his recovery continues to go well.  

Still, the owl will need to stay in Best Friends’ care until the spring or summer, which is when molting is expected to occur and he can once again resume silent flight. After that, the owl can be released back into the wild, in a wooded area near where he was found. 

“He still has a long road ahead of him, but he’s a fighter,” Richwalski said. 

This owl is just one of approximately 1,600 dogs, cats, horses, goats, pigs, bunnies, birds, and wildlife that have found refuge at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary and the headquarters of Best Friends Animal Society, which has a mission of making America a no-kill nation by partnering with more than 5,300 shelters and rescues across the country.