A great horned owl trapped in concrete demonstrates the incredible dedication of American wildlife conservationists who refuse to give up on God’s creatures, even when government agencies might have written off the case as hopeless.
Story Highlights
- A young great horned owl was rescued after getting trapped in a cement mixer at a Utah resort.
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary workers spent days painstakingly removing concrete with forceps and toothbrushes.
- Owl’s flight feathers are damaged, creating a “whooshing” sound that prevents immediate release.
- Full recovery and release expected by spring or summer 2025.
Remarkable Rescue Operation at Utah Resort
Workers at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, demonstrated extraordinary commitment when they received a young great horned owl covered in dried concrete in November 2025.
The bird was discovered at the Black Desert Resort after accidentally entering a cement mixer, leaving its face, chest, and right wing encased in hardened material. Sanctuary staff immediately prioritized ensuring the owl could breathe before beginning the delicate extraction process.
Meticulous Cleaning Process Saves Wildlife
The rescue operation required days of careful work using forceps to crack apart the concrete while cleaning feathers with toothbrushes, dish soap, and bare hands. Bart Richwalski, a sanctuary representative, explained that the owl’s youth likely contributed to its predicament, noting they believe it’s male based on its smaller size.
Within two weeks of arrival, the determined bird was flying again, earning recognition as a “fighter” from sanctuary workers who witnessed its resilience throughout the recovery process.
A great-horned owl arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah after falling into a concrete mixer at a nearby construction site. pic.twitter.com/8dsJJdu3zJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 19, 2025
Flight Recovery Challenges Delay Release
Chief Sanctuary Officer Judah Battista explained that great horned owls possess a specialized downy coating on their feathers, enabling silent flight during hunting.
The concrete damage frayed these critical feathers, causing the owl to produce a distinctive “whooshing” sound while flying. This acoustic signature would compromise the bird’s natural hunting abilities and survival in the wild, necessitating delayed release until natural feather replacement occurs through molting.
The sanctuary plans to release the owl near its original location once it regains silent flight capability, expected sometime between spring and summer 2025.
Richwalski emphasized their commitment to returning the bird to its natural habitat rather than to the construction site where it was found, thereby ensuring the best chance for long-term survival in the Utah wilderness.
