THE DAILY WIRE · CONNECTICUT, USA · 2026-08-19
Owl Rescued After Injury Local Officials Decline To Fully Explain
Animal control officers in West Hartford rescued a barred owl this week after what officials are describing only as an unusual injury, a phrase this columnist finds does more to raise questions than answer them.
The owl was recovered and is presumably receiving care, though the precise nature of the injury has not been made public. This reporter would very much like to know what qualifies as unusual to a professional whose job is rescuing injured wildlife, but the record remains silent on that point.
Barred owls are a familiar presence in Connecticut backyards, more often heard than seen, which makes this particular owl's sudden visibility something of a local event in itself.
This columnist located Nutmeg Nate, an area squirrel with a long and complicated relationship to the owl in question, for a firsthand account of neighborhood dynamics.
His testimony, delivered with visible mixed feelings, offered more color than the official statement.
The owl's prognosis has not been announced. This columnist will consider the story closed once someone, anyone, explains what 'unusual' means in this context. Spun and done.
“That owl's had it out for me since spring so forgive me if I don't shed a tear, but I'll admit even I felt bad watching animal control carry it off like that. Humans put power lines and windows all over the one good flying route we've got left, and then act shocked when something with wings gets hurt using it.” — Nutmeg Nate, area squirrel
Open this column on the Daily Wire →
Zoos News — Real News. Real Animals. The stories are real; the columnist has eight eyes. Home · Wire archive