CONTENT WARNING: The story below is about an owl caught in barbed wire that was admitted to DCHS's Wildlife Center but was unable to be saved. Some may find the content difficult to read.
Anthropogenic injury and mortality rates in wildlife have risen over the years in relation to human proximity and pressures, especially in dense urban areas where risks are higher. Prime examples include vehicular or power line collisions; window strikes; bites from companion animals; exposure to pollution, poisons, or toxicities; hunting or outdoor recreation activities; habitat destruction; entrapment in litter or garbage; and so much more. It almost seems like an un-ending list of different ways that people unintentionally or intentionally harm wild animals. However, wildlife rehabilitation is largely a response to those kinds of problems, so we hope that sharing our data and stories may help inform others about the issues and help us prevent them in the future.
This year alone, 60 individual animals were admitted to DCHS’s Wildlife Center because they were trapped in some kind of man-made substance or an item, like a glue trap or sports netting. However, 22% (n=6) of those animals were caught in a humane/cage trap, which may or may not have been related to a finder’s intent to rescue an animal by means of using available tools. Aside from that category, American Robins made the top of the list with 7 birds of this species being admitted due to entanglement in string, plastic, or other waste materials. Soccer nets and landscape netting, and apparently volleyball nets, are some of the bigger culprits posing risks to wildlife that our team treats, but in 2024, DCHS's Wildlife Center admitted the following animals caught in fences:
Success rates for animals admitted due to entrapment might not be as high as you might think. Of those 60 animals, only 16 of them could be released and most were too severely injured to make it through admission. However, we are incredibly grateful that people took the time to rescue and bring these animals into DCHS. Being trapped, injured, and in pain, unable to become free from the situation, is unimaginable. Many animals, like these, experience some kind of physical trauma, but all of them must suffer an amount of emotional trauma from being stuck. Those that are trapped for long periods of time may be unable to eat or drink and are at risk of starvation. Sometimes, the only service a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian can offer an animal in that situation is relief from suffering through humane euthanasia.
One particular case from this year stands out as a heart-breaking tragedy and is a story worth sharing. Staff member Ashton recalls the details of a situation in late October where a Great Horned Owl’s wing was stuck in a barbed wire fence. The finder initially called a Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden, who was unavailable to help at the time, who advised the finder to cut the fence on each side, as the bird would likely need the immediate attention of a licensed rehabilitator to remove the rest. Our team agreed with that plan and with careful detail, we outlined what the finder should do, recommending caution and precision when cutting the wire well-away from the bird so as to prevent any further injury.
Unfortunately, the finder used a pair of scissors to cut the wire, very close to the wing instead. They stated that they had “cut the feathers” and that it fell to the ground where they left it for the next 24 hours, hoping it would fly away on its own. They called back the day after because it was still there, but this time, the warden was available to pick the bird up and bring it to DCHS’s Wildlife Center. The owl presented with a severe left-wing droop and was unable to move or lift it. It was thin and dehydrated, suggesting that it may have been stuck in the fence for a prolonged period, and flies had started to infiltrate the wounds. A physical exam found severe damage to the left patagial ligament where deep serrations to the skin had been made, but they were incongruent with barbed wire injuries. It was determined that most of the muscle, nerves, and surrounding tissue had been severed down to the bone from the scissors. The severity of damage was irreversible, rendering the owl unable to be rehabilitated.
While we do not believe anyone meant to cause harm to an animal that day, the choices made for this owl led to further suffering that might have been avoidable. In situations like this where a part of the body is already punctured, restricted, or lacerated by a foreign object, removing the item without getting help or advice from a medical professional first could do more harm than good. Wounds can re-open and begin bleeding again, bones can become fractured or more exposed, and muscle or tendons can tear easily. An animal can also harm itself or struggle to the point of exhaustion while trying to get away from a human who is only trying to help. Moreover, removing an impaled object or an item restricting blood flow to a limb can be incredibly painful; in consideration for individual welfare, sedation drugs or medications prescribed by a veterinarian can make a huge difference in determining the outcome and success of treating a patient in that kind of condition.
Each situation is different, but most often, leaving an item in place where it is, whether a hook, piece of metal, garbage, or netting, or some other kind of material, is often better than attempting to remove it without training or improperly. There are some exceptions, such as leaving an animal in a state that would clearly cause death before getting to a rehabilitator or veterinarian. However, we frequently hear reports or see videos of people freeing stuck animals and then celebrating the success without realizing that there could be other problems that are delayed or not immediately visible, which may lead to mortality later because they were left untreated.
Jackie Sandberg is the Wildlife Program Manager and Ashton Whitaker is a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator at DCHS's Wildlife Center.
