While out on a quiet walk, Jon — a high school teacher enjoying some fresh air — noticed something odd swaying in the reeds.
At first glance, it looked like a shapeless brown lump. But as he got closer, Jon realized with a jolt what it actually was: a long-eared owl, completely tangled in a mess of fishing line and hanging helplessly from the vegetation.
Stunned, Jon’s mind raced.
“My immediate thought was, ‘Number one, what do I do? Number two, how do I do it? Number three, how much time do we have?’” he recalled in a YouTube video shared by Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC).
He didn’t hesitate. Jon quickly contacted the experts at TWC, who sent a rescuer to the scene. The owl, still very much alive but injured, was carefully and safely contained. One of her wings appeared to be hurt, likely strained from the struggle.
Before leaving, Jon gathered up all the fishing line he could find in the area — determined to prevent another animal from going through the same ordeal.
Back at the wildlife center, the owl was given immediate medical care and a safe, quiet space to rest. She’s now recuperating in an outdoor aviary, where she can stretch her wings and regain her strength before she’s released back into the wild.
Jon’s unexpected encounter didn’t just save one life — it’s also become a powerful teaching moment.
“I’ve used this experience and this story to try to pump some life into these kids,” he said. “It’s a great example of why we need to be thoughtful about the materials we use, what we throw away, and how it impacts the world around us.”
His story is a reminder that small actions — whether rescuing an injured owl or picking up discarded line — can have a huge impact.
To support wildlife rescues like this one, you can donate to the Toronto Wildlife Centre.
