Owl injured in evacuated northern town is nursed back to health by KKL-JNF

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The owl was discovered by the side of the road injured, mostly likely from a passing vehicle

The discoverer of the injured owl contacted Dr. Rami Perlstein, a veterinarian in Kiryat Shmona, who contacted Dr. Rona Nadler-Valency, director of the Agamon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (AWRC).

Dr. Nadler-Valency traveled from her temporary home in the Jordan Valley (after she was evacuated) to pick the owl up from Kiriyat Shmona.

"I arrived in the city after not being there for a few months. It's really sad to see everything abandoned, and of course, it's not pleasant to collect animals under shelling."

After arriving at the clinic, the owl underwent comprehensive examinations and was found to have a head injury and an injury to its right eye.

Long-term recovery

For about a month, the owl received dedicated care around the clock, which included fluid support, pain relief, and targeted treatment for the head trauma and the eye injury.

After an improvement in her condition finishing the medical treatment, the owl was transferred to a large acclimated cage, where she could fly and hunt.

The team monitored her with remote cameras, and after it seemed that she was able to hunt independently for several days, a "soft release" was decided on.

A window was opened in the acclimate cage, from which she could fly freely.

Dr. Rona Nadler-Valency said "Towards evening, the release window...