Injured Owl Now Back Flying Skies Around Marquette

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - What was called by one of its rescuers as "the most famous bird in Marquette County" is now flying again over the streets of Marquette, and it is hoped it will reunite with its family.

The great horned owl was rescued May 13 was released back into the wild last week at Harlow Park following rehabilitation at the Harvey-based Chocolay Raptor Center. The owl, which fathered a family of owlets in a nest at St. Peter Cathedral, had been shot, resulting in a broken wing, according to The Mining Journal.

Although the BB could not be removed, the bird's wing healed at the Raptor Center, apparently well enough since it immediately flew upon its release east of Harlow Park to the delight of about 100 spectators.

Jerry Maynard and Bob Jensen, co-founders and partners in the center, talked about the great horned owl's adventure.

"His wounds are healed, so for the last five days, we have been exercising him, getting ready for the release," said Maynard, who noted its mate took care of their babies in the absence of the injured owl, which he said was the Marquette County bird capturing most of the fame in the avian world as of late.

The owl received a lot of local attention via social media, as did the owlets while they were nesting at the cathedral.

However, Maynard said Harlow Park was chosen as the release site.

"We wanted to release him here where's there more tree cover than right over next to the cathedral where we found him, so he's got a little more escape route, and he's got the (Park) cemetery to kind of hang out in, because he'll be a little disoriented for a day or two," Maynard said. "But hopefully he'll find his mate and his babies. They should be in the same area yet."

Jensen expressed confidence the owl would find his family, especially since there was a report of crows mobbing the vicinity that would include the mom owl and two owlets.

"This is his home territory, so he'll know the area," Jensen said. "He's been hunting here all spring, feeding the owlets."

Jensen said the center's flight cage was used to exercise the owl, leading to a full recovery.

Unfortunately, even though the center offered $100 for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the shooter, that person wasn't found, Jensen said.

Still, it could be said the ordeal had a happy ending for the owl, and if things go as desired, he might have only crows with which to contend.

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