Owl described as 'fighter' set to fly free after falling into cement mixer in Utah

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/19/owl-flies-free-cement-mixer-utah

Staff at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab spent days cleaning the concrete-covered great horned owl

In this image provided by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, small animals manager Sierra Medlin examines the wing of an owl on 6 November 2025, that was taken to the sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, after it fell into a concrete mixer. Photograph: AP

An owl found partially encased in concrete after it got inside a cement mixer in south-western Utah is expected to fly free again after it was painstakingly cleaned by animal sanctuary workers who described the bird as a “fighter”.

The great horned owl was found at the Black Desert Resort in the south-western part of the state and arrived at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, earlier this month with its face, chest and right wing covered in dried concrete. After making sure the bird could breathe, sanctuary workers spent days cracking apart the concrete using forceps and cleaning its feathers using toothbrushes, dish soap and their fingers.

Two weeks later, it was able to fly again and is continuing its recovery in an aviary.

“He’s a youngster, which may be why he ended up in a concrete mixer, and we do believe he’s a male because he’s on the smaller side,” said Bart Richwalski with the animal sanctuary.

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[Fla Dem]

1. Wonderful! So glad they decided to take the time to clean all the cement off and not just put him to sleep.