We were called to a rescue due to a barn owl being suspended over the River Wey in fishing wire. Thankfully, Surrey Fire and Rescue were able to take out a boat and rescue this barn owl from above the river.
Our vet, Raul, carefully freed the owl from the tangled fishing wire. On closer inspection, we discovered the wire was tightly wrapped around its feathers but, thankfully, had not cut deep into the wing. This gave us hope that there would be no lasting damage, just some swelling that needed monitoring.
The barn owl was then monitored over a week to assess whether he was eating, flying and if the swelling went down.
After a week he was flying well, eating plenty and the swelling had gone, only a small scab remained!
Due to his excellent recovery, our vet, Judith, decided he was ready to be released. On the 16th of November 2025 this barn owl was released back into the wild in a familiar location.
This is a wonderful success story, showcasing an incredible recovery, but it also serves as a powerful reminder of the harm litter can cause to our wildlife. Please, always dispose of your litter and fishing wire responsibly to help protect these beautiful creatures.
When you donate you help towards the costs of looking after all the animals here at the hospital.
Could provide medicine for a sick animal
