Great-horned Owl Release in Cle Elum
February 28, 2025
This past November, the teachers at Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary found this adult Great-horned owl seriously entangled in a soccer net behind the school. They were able to extricate the owl and transport it to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with assistance from WDFW. Upon intake, the PAWS team discovered the raptor had sustained a severe wing injury in their struggle with the netting.
The rehabilitation team provided supportive care for over two months while the owl recovered from the ordeal. During this time, the veterinary staff also performed a series of follow-up procedures to ensure the owl’s wound healed properly. In late January, some members of the PAWS team met the original finders in Cle Elum to release the owl together. The staff and teachers had already taken down the rest of the soccer nets to prevent future entanglements!