This Week at Liberty
October 20, 2026
Hoots, Howls, and Hollers
Megan Mosby
Executive Director
Celebrity Wildlife, Different Outcomes
An event occurred this past week garnering a lot of attention. You may have seen the news coverage of the great horned owl that seemed to be hanging by a wing in midair extended from a power line along a canal. This owl became a celeb much like Jackie the bald eagle that recently died in California after being followed by the public for years on an eagle cam. The big difference here is that Jackie ended up sadly dying from the naturally occurring highly pathogenic avian flu for which there isn’t a cure.
Our newly famous owl was victimized by something not naturally occurring…in fact it was caused by human carelessness: discarded fishing line. No one knows why it was left in the wild, insidiously difficult to discern in the habitat. Also, it can be deadly when it finds its way around the primary feathers of a great horned owl flying by a power line. It was almost the cause of the death of an innocent. For this hazard, there is a cure. If you bring fishing line in with you…pack it out with you if you can…always.
The Rescue
Early that morning calls started coming in to the police and fire department about the owl suspended in the air, unable to flap its wings or escape the fishing line that had trapped it. It must have been a horrifying sight to see. Runners on the canal, bikers out for a morning workout, families off to work or school were confronted with this odd but disturbing scene.
Liberty Wildlife received calls from Mesa Fire Department among other reports, and we were able to reach out to our partners at SRP who quickly orchestrated the rescue. The owl was rushed to Liberty Wildlife for evaluation. All of this took place efficiently and quickly enough that the owl was minimally injured (feathers are tougher than one would think). No bones broken, no ligament torn, no flesh broken…I guess you could call the owl lucky!
After some initial treatment, rest, and a good meal, the owl is due to be released today back where it was found hanging…minus the fishing line…success!
What occurs to me in this situation is the overwhelming concern, compassion, and action taken by a caring public…all with one thought in mind…help for this creature injured through no fault of its own.
A Community of Support
It is people like this who donate energy, time and resources to Liberty Wildlife that allows us to do what we do. We couldn’t have accepted and worked with close to 11,000 animals so far this year, without your help. It all takes time, effort, skill and resources with a huge dose of compassion to make it happen.
We thank you for that…all of it.
This Week @ Liberty
The intake total for the year is now up to 10,925.
Well, needless to say, the hospital has slowed down substantially (but we’re definitely still seeing quite a few new patients coming through our doors) and our education side is up and running with the full force of the season. Public hours have commenced (and we’re back to our 10am-1pm (Wed/Sat/Sun) schedule. Those days also include a flight/eagle program, plus all the keeper talks that a bird nerd could ask for. And, to top it all off, we have a whole lot of amazing events popping up over the next few months. Put these on your calendar:
- Wishes for Wildlife / Saturday, October 24th / 5:30pm-9pm (Tickets here)
- Native American and Wildlife Celebration / Sunday, November 15th / 9am-4:30pm (free; more information here)
- Links for Liberty Golf Tournament @ McCormick Ranch / Saturday, January 30th, 2027 / starting at 7:30am / prices vary (more information here)
Like I said, we’re busy, busy, bees! But all this busyness means we’re taking care of things here on-site, and consistently going off-site to educate the public on why our native wildlife is so important. If you’ve never been here before, or want to come to come support a great cause, there’s lots of opportunities to do it!
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
Broken Bones
Osprey’s are unique birds; take their diet for example. It consist of mostly fish (but on rare occasions they have been spotted feasting on carcasses of other birds, snakes, and salamanders). They’re also able to dive into the water, grab their prey, and get back out. With a usual weight between 3 and 4.4 (ish) pounds, that’s a feat on its own; once you add a live, definitely moving fish, it accounts for something spectacular. Osprey’s 4.5 to 6 foot wingspan certainly helps, as well as their powerful talons. With a reversible outer toe (their back tow can rotate which allows them to have two toes in “front” and two toes in “back”), barbed spicules (sharp, ridged scales on the bottom of an osprey’s foot), and sharply curved talons, all these things account for a top predator near fresh and saltwater lakes, ponds, and yes, the oceans too.
And a broken wing can be detrimental to survival.
Hailing from Avondale, this Osprey was found with a severe fracture to his left radius/ulna a little below the wrist. This compound (the bone pierced through the flesh surrounding the fracture site) and comminuted (the bone has fractured into several pieces) fracture makes for a hard break, but certainly not unfixable. After radiographs were taken, our veterinarian Dr. Lamb and her staff were able to pinpoint exactly what they were working with and get right to work.
After sedation and pain management medication, this large bird of prey went right into surgery. Two pins were placed—one in the radius and the other in the ulna—then the wound was sutured closed, then placed in a figure-8 wrap to keep the pins, and break, immobilized and in place.
For now, this osprey is hanging tight in our triage and being closely monitored. At this stage, it’s a time game. The pins and wrap will keep the fractures stabilized; once that’s repaired, more radiographs will be needed to see how the bones healed, and if so, if the calluses there will allow for the osprey to fly and do it well.
Like I said; it’s a waiting game, and one we’re happy to make. We’re so very good at it!
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
Notable Mentions
Wishes for Wildlife is almost here! Our annual fundraiser (with its costume contest and watercolor artist and libations to boot). It is happening this Saturday, October 24th from 5:30pm-9pm (members can get in early starting at 4:30pm!). If you haven’t gotten your tickets or table, make sure to drop by here and get it done!
Just a heads up, public hours remain the same from Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays from 10am-1pm (yes, even on Wishes for Wildlife day!).
Without further ado, here are this week’s notable mentions:
- An Anna’s Hummingbird drops in with a slight fracture to the wing; medical services volunteer Becca helps wrap it (3 pictures)
- Millie the California condor is such a ham! (3 pictures – by Ceci)
- Several glue traps were taken off a great-horned owl (please refrain from glue traps outside of your home!) (3 pictures by Teresa)
Thanks so much for taking the time to follow us; we appreciate all you do!
Until next time!
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
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