First, there are the typical dangers: cats, reflective windows, hunters, disease, and other predators.

Then you have to factor in something you likely don’t think of quite as often. Vehicles.

Scientists tell us that over 200 million birds are killed each year in the US by cars! To put it into perspective, 2.4 billion are killed by cats. But, still…

For one woman driving along in her Chevy SUV, that statistic was about to get real. She saw a flurry of white diving in front of her car, then heard a sickening thud.

She drove a few miles before getting out to check to see if whatever she had hit had damaged her vehicle.

There was indeed damage done and there was no question what she had hit:

A dazed and battered snowy owl was trapped behind the grill of her vehicle!

The woman immediately called for help for the beautiful bird that was still alive, although it had obviously been badly injured.

Megan Lawrence, director of wildlife rehabilitation center Salthaven West, responded Thursday to the report of a snowy owl hit by a vehicle near Regina, Saskatchewan.

While at first things were looking touch-and-go for the bird dubbed Tahoe, his condition has since improved.

“We often receive calls about animals that are hit by vehicles on highways,” said Lawrence, “however Thursday’s call was quite a bit different!

Realizing she had hit an owl and assuming the worst for the bird, Felecia continued the few minutes into Regina and stopped shortly after to see if there was any damage to her truck.

There was damage alright – and a Snowy Owl to prove it!“

They took Tahoe to the Animal Clinic of Regina where it was confirmed with radiographs that the owl’s wing was fractured.

He also had a pretty severe concussion as you might expect when you literally go head to head with a full-size SUV!

Then he was bandaged up and administered medication to help with pain.

“The first 48 hours are critical for most patients and the Snowy was touch-and-go due to the severe concussion but is making excellent progress so far,” Lawrence said.

The young male Snowy Owl, an endangered species, is in for at least a six-week minimum recovery period while his bone heals and stabilizes.

Before being released, he will be given test flights to ensure he is strong, healthy and not suffering permanent vision damage as a result of the concussion.

At that point, he’ll be cleared to rejoin his endangered buddies and here’s hoping that when he does, he’ll avoid flying low for a while!

Source: Sunny Skyz

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