McKinney community’s quick thinking saves barred owl

When McKinney resident Mandy West spotted a barred owl hanging helplessly on a fishing line from a tree last Thursday,she sought help right away.

Barred owls are one of her favorite animals, so she said it was heartbreaking to see it dangle by its wing over a pond in the Hidden Creek community.

After a few phone calls, McKinney Animal Services officers arrived to rescue the bird and take it to a rehabilitation center for care.

West grabbed her fly-fishing waders for the rescue team. She said one neighbor brought a long pole tree trimming tool, one brought a kayak and another neighbor ran to the community pool to grab a rescue pole.

“Everyone came out to help,” West said. “It was a neighborhood effort.”

When McKinney Animal Services officers arrived, they knew they needed to act fast. The water was cold. And it was deeper than they realized.

“It was freezing but it was worth it,” said Shelby Atkins, McKinney Animal Services officer.

Atkins said the community’s assistance really helped her team.

“They just kept bringing us random tools,” she said. “It was a joint effort, the community was great.”

After retrieving the owl, the team took it to Blackland Prairie Raptor Center (BPRC) for medical care.

Hailey LeBaron, raptor rehabilitation manager at BPRC, said the collaboration within the community and a quick-acting rescue team made the difference in what could have been a grim outcome.

The owl is still under the care of the raptor center and has a long healing journey ahead. Along with wound care such as daily bandage changes, the owl is undergoing physical therapy.

Soon it will be released in a limited activity enclosure and once the owl gets enough strength, it will be released into a larger enclosure.

BPRC currently has 24 birds of prey in its care.

“All are pretty intensive,” LeBaron said. “They will be here about three or four months each.”

The birds that are never able to return to the wild become raptor ambassadors and help the team educate the public about issues concerning their future.

BPRC is a non-profit organization in Collin County that relies on the community to keep going. Donations are accepted on their website, which also has links to educational programs and volunteer opportunities.