(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A Great Horned Owl’s night of hunting was foiled in the northwest suburbs when a skunk that was eyed as a meal successfully fought back with its natural weaponry.
Wildlife rehabilitators deduced the results of the encounter after a McHenry resident found the owl, motionless, in their front yard over the weekend.
“It clearly had been sprayed right in the face,” said Dawn Keller, founder and director of Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington.
A skunked Great Horned Owl is far from unique, given that the predator bird hunts skunks. Such a direct hit is rarer. Workers at the rehab center flushed the owl’s eyes and will deep-clean its feathers.
Once the owl appears able to see and fly without difficulty, it will be released back into the wild, Keller said.
She said this incident is a great example of how important it is for residents to call animal experts for help.
“If a bird of prey is on the ground for more than one hour, it warrants contacting a federally licensed wildlife facility to at least send them a picture to see whether they think intervention is appropriate,” she said.
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