Big Bear linemen rescue great horned owl trapped in electrical wires

Linemen from Bear Valley Electric Service in Big Bear rescued a great horned owl that was trapped and dangling upside down in electrical wires during the day, CBS News Los Angeles reported.

The crew noticed the owl was alive when it turned its head to look at them. They shut off the power and carefully freed the owl, whose leg was twisted between two wires, using a jib truck to set it upright and open the wires trapping it.

After being freed, the owl flew to a nearby house. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo took the bird in for care, providing fluids, pain medication, and X-rays over several days before releasing it back into the wild six nights later.

Zoo staff said they have rescued about 80 birds this year, with the biggest threats to great horned owls being human-related, especially car collisions since the owls are not very fast flyers.

Bear Valley Electric said it is working on covering electrical connections to better protect wildlife. The linemen expressed relief and gratitude for being able to help the owl survive its precarious situation.