Rare Northern Hawk Owl Gets Second Chance in Manitoba

When a rare Northern Hawk Owl was struck by a car near Richer, Manitoba last Thursday, a stranger's compassion made all the difference. The driver immediately stopped, scooped up the injured bird, and rushed her to Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, giving her a fighting chance at survival.

The examination revealed serious damage. The owl suffered a severe open fracture in her left wing, a devastating injury for a bird that relies entirely on flight to hunt and stay alive.

Wildlife Haven staff acted fast. They stabilized the broken wing with a specialized wrap and started the tiny patient on pain medication, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics to prevent infection.

At less than one pound and roughly the size of a large pigeon, this Northern Hawk Owl represents something special. The species rarely ventures into southern Manitoba, making her presence in the region particularly unique.

The Bright Side

The rehabilitation team has one clear goal: return this owl to the skies. Success depends on how well the wing heals over the coming weeks, but the bird is already receiving the specialized care she needs to make that happen.

Wildlife Haven is asking the community for support to cover treatment costs, including medical supplies and ongoing rehabilitation. Every donation helps ensure animals like this rare owl get the expert care required for a full recovery.

The timing comes just days after Wildlife Haven celebrated another milestone. Lumi the lynx, recently transferred to Assiniboine Park Zoo for continued assessment, showed that patient rehabilitation can lead to positive outcomes for Manitoba's wildlife.

Both cases highlight something important: when people take action and rehabilitation centers have resources, injured wildlife get real second chances.