Young Barred Owl Undergoes Rare Feather Transplant After Fishing Line Rescue
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A young barred owl rescued from a fishing line at Lake Fayetteville is ready to be released back to the wild, thanks to a careful rescue and a rare and delicate medical procedure performed by Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation.
The owl was discovered by staff of Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC) as it was hanging from discarded fishing line tangled in a tree. The bird had been caught mid-flight and hung for more than an hour, with part of its body submerged in the lake. With help from the Lake Fayetteville Marina, ONSC staff used a pontoon boat to reach the owl, cut it free, and rushed it to Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation (NWBR).
Initial exams revealed serious injuries. Dr. Warman, NWBR’s veterinarian, diagnosed corneal ulcers in both eyes, feather entanglement, severe skin swelling, suspected water aspiration, and a possible pelvic injury. The owl was given the identification code 2025-0520, and treatment began.
While the owl began to stabilize, new complications soon appeared.
“Several weeks after admission, he started breaking and losing most of his feathers,” said Dr. Warman. “I have never seen feather quality this severe.”
The damage was so extensive that the owl could not be released. Normal flight would have been impossible. Rehabilitation could not continue without a full feather donor, a rare and difficult requirement.
That donor arrived in December.
Northsong received another barred owl of similar size with a non-releasable injury that required humane euthanasia. Northsong’s medical team was able to carefully harvest the feathers.
Northsong staff performed a full feather transplant, a procedure known as imping. The delicate surgery involves attaching donor feathers to the injured bird’s remaining feather shafts to restore flight. The surgery requires precision and can take a significant amount of time. This particular surgery took approximately one and a half hours, and the team was thrilled with the results.
“The procedure went very well,” said Dr. Warman. “But feather implants are fragile. Even bumping wings on aviary walls can break the internal supports.”
The owl recovered under close supervision, then was transferred to Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to gain strength and pass its flight test. The bird is now ready for release and another chance at life. Barred owl 2025-0520 has been in rehabilitation for over 160 days and its total cost of medical care is now valued at over $2,200.
“This owl’s survival is the result of teamwork, skill, and a lot of hope,” said Rose Brown, ONSC Executive Director. “But it also highlights a preventable problem.”
Discarded fishing line, hooks, and lures pose a serious threat to birds and other wildlife. With more than 500,000 recreational fishermen in Arkansas, lost or discarded fishing line and tackle is a large source of pollution in rivers and lakes.
Abandoned fishing line can cause many problems. The most direct impact is on birds, turtles, and fish. Animals can become tangled in the line and eventually starve to death, while others accidentally eat the line or other pieces of plastic and become sick or die.
“At ONSC, we have a fishing line recycling program.” said Brown. “Anyone can drop fishing line at our Lake Fayetteville education building and it will be recycled properly.”
The owl’s release will be on Sunday, February 1st at 3pm, and will be open to the public. Members of the press are invited to attend. Media coverage is encouraged to help spread awareness about the dangers of abandoned fishing gear and the importance of proper disposal.
About the Barred Owl Release
When: Sunday, February 1st, 3pm
Where: ONSC at Lake Fayetteville: 599 E Lakeview Dr, Springdale
Learn more and RSVP here: www.onsc.us/events-1/lf-barred-owl-release
About Ozark Natural Science Center
Ozark Natural Science Center is committed to strengthening the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of land, water, and wildlife in the Ozarks. ONSC provides immersive, hands-on experiences that connect people of all ages to the natural world. Learn more at www.onsc.us
About Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation
Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation is a NWA based 501c3 organization dedicated to providing medical care to injured avian wildlife while promoting environmental conservation through community involvement and education. Learn more at www.northsongbird.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rose Brown, Executive Director
Ozark Natural Science Center
rose.brown@onsc.us
479-202-0692
Emily Warman, Veterinarian
Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation
northsongbird@outlook.com
