Great Horned Owl Rescued from Vehicle Grille in California
ORCUTT, Calif. — In an unusual rescue operation on the morning of December 22, 2025, firefighters and animal control officers in Santa Barbara County worked together to free a great horned owl that had become lodged in the front grille of a vehicle. The incident unfolded in the 1000 block of Amethyst Drive in Orcutt, where the vehicle owner discovered the distressed bird and immediately alerted authorities.
Scott Safechuck, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, confirmed that firefighters responded to assist animal control officers in safely removing the owl. It was unclear when the owl had become trapped, with Safechuck noting that the incident might have occurred the previous day.
Firefighters carefully cut away portions of the vehicle’s grille, a process that took approximately 30 minutes, to avoid injuring the bird. Once freed, the owl was transported by the Wildlife Care Network to receive a thorough veterinary assessment. The Wildlife Care Network is known for its work in rehabilitating injured wildlife across California.
The great horned owl is a species native to much of North and South America, known for its distinctive tufts of feathers resembling horns and its role as a top nocturnal predator. While encounters between wildlife and vehicles are not uncommon, this rescue highlights the challenges animals face in urban and suburban environments.
Authorities urge drivers to remain vigilant, especially during dawn and dusk hours when owls and other wildlife are most active. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidelines for safely coexisting with wildlife and reporting injured animals.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s swift collaboration with animal control exemplifies the importance of coordinated emergency response efforts in protecting both human and animal lives. Residents are encouraged to report any similar incidents to local animal control or fire departments promptly.
For more information on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, the National Geographic’s profile on great horned owls offers detailed insights into their behavior and habitat. Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara community continues to demonstrate its commitment to wildlife preservation through such successful rescue operations.
Leave a Reply