“Name the Owl” contest
May 22, 2010
Wentzville, MO
The Wentzville Firefighters Community Outreach Program is partnering with the World Bird Sanctuary to sponsor a “Name the Owl” contest and fundraiser. On the morning of April 22, 2010, a Wentzville fire engine was responding to a reported structure fire when it was struck by a flying Barred Owl.
After being struck, the fire engine continued to the fire scene where the firefighters noticed the owl sitting on top of the fire truck. The Barred Owl was dazed and had a broken wing. The firefighters carefully removed the owl and placed it in a safe place so it would not be injured further.
The Missouri Department of Conservation was contacted for assistance. They recommended that we contact the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri.
The Barred Owl is a protected species. The owl was taken to the sanctuary’s hospital by one of the fire district’s staff. The owl has had a surgery to repair its wing.
Currently the prognosis is that the owl may regain full use of the wing and be able to be released back to the wild. The staff at the World Bird Sanctuary is saying that in 4 to 5 weeks the owl will have the rod that was placed in its wing removed and they will be able to better tell if it can be released.
This brings us to the “Name the Owl” contest. On the Wentzville Firefighters Community Outreach website (http://www.wentzvillefirefighters.org) there is a task button on the top right labeled “Owl Fundraiser.” By clicking this button you are taken to a screen where you can name the owl. There is also information at this site if you wish to make a donation to help defray the cost of rehabilitating the owl and other animals in the care of the World Bird Sanctuary. The donations will be split 50-50 between the World Bird Sanctuary and the Wentzville Firefighters Outreach program to help out both the bird sanctuary’s hard work and the Outreach program in our community.
The winner of the contest wins a “Return to the Wild” release. This package valued at $150 entitles the winner to release a bird of prey that had been rehabilitated at the World Bird Sanctuary. The naming contest will run from May 20, 2010 to June 25, 2010. The winner will be notified on Monday, June 28, 2010.
The Wentzville Fire District covers 88 square miles of Western St. Charles County and includes the cities of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill, and Josephville; as well as large portions of Lake St. Louis, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon.
From the Wentzville Fire District
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