911 call leads to rescue of an owl trapped in barbed wire in NC: 'He looked drained, had no energy'

CHATHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- An animal resource officer in Chatham County has quite the story to tell after freeing an owl tangled up in barbed wire.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office posted on social media about the rescue.

Earlier this week, Animal Resource Officer Andrew Walker responded to a 911 call about an owl tangled in a barbed wire fence in the Staley area.

The bird appeared lifeless at first, and Officer Walker said he feared the worst.

"He looked like he was pretty drained and had no energy whatsoever," Walker said.

With help from the property owner, the officer cut a portion of the fence and freed the owl. Walker says this was his first time rescuing an owl.

The bird had an eye injury, so Walker took it to Holly's Nest Animal Rescue in Sanford for specialized care.

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Holly's Nest Animal Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife so they can be released back into the wild.

The nonprofit shared an update on the owl, saying it's well on its way to recovery.

In February 2024, a different Chatham County deputy, with the help of a wildlife officer, rescued an owl that collided with a car on US 64. The great horned owl was trapped in the front grill of the car's bumper. A N.C. Wildlife Officer then arrived and said the owl appeared to suffer no damage from the accident. Deputy Chafa then carried the bird away from U.S. 64 and placed it on a perch on a nearby wooden fence.