‘I Couldn’t Bear the Thought of Leaving It There’: Canmore Couple Saves Injured Owl with Community Help

When Mark and Sarah Jensen spotted a small, trembling owl perched on the low branch of a spruce in their backyard last week, their first reaction wasn’t “look, a cute bird,” but a sharp, gut‑wrenching fear: “I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving it there.” The bird, later identified as a juvenile great horned owl, had a broken wing and was clearly in distress.

Instead of turning a blind eye, the Jensens sprang into action. Sarah gently coaxed the owl into a cardboard box lined with a soft towel, while Mark called their neighbour, Alex, who happens to be a volunteer with the Alberta Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. “I’ve seen a few injured birds before, but this one looked especially fragile,” Alex recalled.

Within an hour, a small crowd had gathered outside the Jensen home. A mix of curious onlookers, a local veterinarian, and a couple of high‑school students from the nearby school formed an impromptu rescue team. Phones were out, social media posts went live, and the hashtag #OwlRescueCanmore started trending on Twitter.

Veterinarian Dr. Lisa Cheng examined the owl and confirmed a fractured radius in the left wing. “It’s a serious injury for a bird that needs to fly to hunt,” she explained, “but with proper care it’s definitely survivable.” The team set up a temporary rehab station in the Jensen’s garage, using a small heat lamp, a dish of water, and a “bird‑safe” feeding schedule of chopped insects.

Over the next ten days, the owl, affectionately nicknamed “Hooty” by the neighbourhood kids, received round‑the‑clock care. Mark took turns feeding, Alex monitored the wing splint, and Sarah documented the progress on Instagram, where the post quickly amassed over 2,000 likes.

When the owl’s wing showed signs of healing, Dr. Cheng arranged a safe release at a nearby forest clearing. The moment the bird spread its newly mended feathers and took off, a collective sigh of relief rippled through the small crowd. “Seeing it soar again was the best feeling in the world,” Sarah said, eyes shining.

The Jensens hope the story inspires others to look out for wildlife in distress. “We didn’t know what to do at first, but the community’s help made all the difference,” Mark reflected. “If you see an animal in trouble, don’t just walk away – there’s always someone who can help.”