Despite a community effort to save an owl stuck on a utility pole Monday, a spokesperson for the Wheat Ridge Police Department said the bird ultimately died.
Police received several calls about a great horned owl that was trapped on a utility pole in Wheat Ridge on Monday afternoon, said Joanna Small, a spokesperson for Wheat Ridge police.
Members from the Community Service Team, which Small said responds to situations involving wildlife, led the effort to free the owl.
West Metro Fire Rescue supplied a fire engine for the use of its ladder. A private citizen also brought their personal ladder to assist in the rescue efforts.
The owl, Small said, had been stuck for several hours, its talon caught in an electrical box.
By the time members of the Community Service Team reached the owl, Small said the bird had “severed most of its talon” in an effort to free itself.
The bird’s talon was cut and taken to the Birds of Prey Foundation, where volunteers were ready to treat the injured owl.
Unfortunately, Small said, the Birds of Prey Foundation euthanized the animal.
“We always make the effort to save wildlife,” Small said. “The team did a really good job and put forth a great effort to save this owl, but the outcome was still disappointing.”
