One quiet July morning near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a woman stepped into her backyard expecting peace — but instead froze in horror.
Hanging upside down from her volleyball net was an owl, motionless and seemingly lifeless.
“[She] discovered an owl hanging upside down, lifeless,” the team at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRWC) later wrote on Facebook.
At first, it looked too late. The owl’s body hung limp, his feathers twisted in the thin black netting. But when she looked closer, she saw a faint movement — a shallow breath. Somehow, the owl was still alive.
Panicked and unsure what to do, the woman called for help. Luckily, her neighbor and his son rushed over and immediately sprang into action.
“Fortunately, her neighbor and his son acted quickly,” RRWC shared. “They carefully cut the owl free from the netting and placed it into a box.”
With patience and care, they worked to free the bird’s fragile wings and talons from the web of nylon, trying not to cause further harm. Once the owl was finally safe inside the box, they contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which quickly alerted Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
A volunteer arrived soon after and gently transported the exhausted owl to safety.
“This poor owl was weak and exhausted from hours of struggle,” RRWC wrote. “But he was fortunate to escape with no broken bones and only minimal injuries from the constriction netting.”
At the center, rescuers gave the owl fluids and a quiet place to rest. Slowly, he began to recover — his dull eyes brightening, his body regaining strength. Within days, the “lifeless” owl had transformed into a fierce, alert predator again.
But as miraculous as his recovery was, RRWC emphasized how easily tragedies like this can be prevented.
“This scenario occurs far too frequently during the summer months,” the center warned. “To safeguard our wildlife, it is essential to take down or securely store any sports netting when it’s not in use. Making this simple habit part of your routine can prevent unnecessary suffering, pain, and even save lives.”
Many nocturnal animals, like owls, can’t see dark nets at night — flying straight into them as they hunt. For this owl, the net nearly became a deadly trap.
Now, with each passing day, the owl grows stronger and closer to returning home.
And while RRWC’s staff have grown fond of their resilient patient, they can’t wait to see him soar freely again over his familiar territory.
“We look forward to returning the owl to its known territory,” RRWC wrote.
You can see more pictures from the owl’s rescue here:
Until then, they’ll continue caring for him — and reminding everyone that a few moments of awareness can save countless wild lives.
“Together, we can protect our wild neighbors and ensure they remain safe in their natural habitats,” RRWC said.
If you’d like to help wildlife like this brave owl recover and return to the wild, you can donate to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center here.
