DANVILLE, Va. – An injured owl rescued by a firefighter along the Dan River is nearly ready to fly again, thanks to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.
The barred owl will be released back into the wild on Saturday, near where it was found in Danville.
The owl was found by a Danville firefighter hanging upside down entangled in some fishing line and injured its leg in the process. Wildlife center staff member Madison Burnette, who helped rehabilitate the owl, says it took nearly two months for it to heal.
“There have been hard parts, seeing him in pain and seeing him frustrated because they can’t do everything they want to do,” Burnette said. “In the end, the ends justify the means, when we get him out to where he belongs.”
Burnette said the wildlife center planned to release the owl New Year’s Day, but weather pushed back their plans.