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A barn owl that was stranded in the water beneath a Foster City bridge has been rescued and is doing well.
The owl was first noticed by Foster City resident Ross Sakata, who reported the owl had been in pretty much the same spot beneath the bridge at 900 Foster City Blvd., for two days.
The Foster City Police Department and Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA teamed up on Monday for a water rescue.
Because the owl was in the water, it was only accessible by boat, Buffy Martin Tarbox, communications manager for the animal rescue group, said. A Foster City police officer contacted someone who was willing to donate his time and boat to venture into the water to save the bird.
The owl was carefully captured by net, brought to shore and transported to the group’s Wildlife Care Center in Burlingame for examination and treatment. The owl was dehydrated, exhausted and had a slight case of hypothermia.
Care Center staff gave the bird fluids and placed him in an incubator to help boost his body temperature. The owl’s condition has improved since his rescue, but he will continue to be monitored and treated before he is returned to the wild.
“We are grateful for everyone involved with the effort in saving this owl,” Tarbox said. “The Foster City police officer who assisted with the rescue informed us she loves owls so much, she even has a tattoo of an owl. What a lovely moment of serendipity.”
Owls can often find themselves in unfortunate circumstances when chasing prey. The owl apparently flew under the bridge and then didn’t have enough dry land to facilitate a take-off. The longer it was trapped there, the less likely it became that it could escape on its own.
The Wildlife Care Center successfully rehabilitates 1,200 to 1,400 wild animals each year.