The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has welcomed a new eastern screech owlet, and is using the opportunity to remind Virginians not to cut down trees unless it is absolutely necessary!

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is seeing an increase in the number of birds getting hit by cars.

Back in January, Lynchburg Police Animal Control rescued an Eastern Screech Owl who flew into a building.

One local barred owl is getting the chance to fly the nest, thanks to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

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. “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.

Rocky the owl has been returned to the wild. The tiny Saw-whet owl was found stuck inside this year’s Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in 30 Rock last week, and thanks to some wonderful environmentalists, he’s now out. Rockefeller, or “Rocky” for short, became stuck inside the 75-foot-tall tree, and he was found and named by a worker setting up the tree Nov. 16, according to the Associated Press. Rocky, a female owl, was taken to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties to be nursed back to health. A video of Rocky taking flight back into the wild was posted on the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center’s Facebook page.