Great Horned Owl found injured in Innisfil soars again after month of rehabilitation

A Great Horned Owl rescued from the streets of Innisfil, Ont., has been released back into the wild after spending the past month in rehabilitation. (Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response)

A Great Horned Owl rescued from the streets of Innisfil, Ont., has officially been released back into the wild after spending the past month in rehabilitation.

Back in March, a concerned resident reported that the owl had been lingering on their porch for nearly 24 hours and showed no signs of leaving.

By the time responders arrived, the distressed bird had already taken off. However, conversations revealed a more concerning pattern: the owl had been seen walking on the ground and had not been observed flying at all.

The neighbour contacted Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response, who safely tracked down and contained the bird and transferred it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation centre for treatment and care.

Now, after weeks of recovery, the owl has made a successful return to its natural habitat. The team released the bird earlier last week, sharing a heartfelt video online.

“Watching this incredible bird take flight, fully rehabilitated, is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do,” said the team in a social media post.

They also thanked the residents who spoke up when something didn’t seem right, saying quick action from the community helped give the owl a second chance at life.

Simcoe County Emergency Animal Response launched at the beginning of the year and has answered nearly 50 calls of animals in distress.