Injured owl released into the wild in California

A long-eared owl has been released back into the wild in Lancaster, California, following a five-month recovery period. The bird, identified as Patient 26-224 by the Ojai Raptor Center, was rescued after being attacked with a baseball bat by a group of adolescents in April.

Specialized treatment at the rehabilitation center addressed internal trauma and a fractured metatarsal bone in the owl's foot. The Ojai Raptor Center noted the difficulty of treating animals that have been intentionally harmed and emphasized the importance of teaching respect for wildlife.