Commuters, Cops Save Owl Hit By Vehicle In Hanover

HANOVER, MD — Busy rush-hour commuters teamed up Wednesday morning to help rescue a barred owl likely hit by a vehicle and left stunned on MD-100. A day later, Maryland Natural Resources Police said on social media that the raptor is "feisty" and feeling better at Frisky's Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary in Howard County.

Drivers on eastbound MD-100 at Arundel Mills Boulevard in Hanover started calling in at 7:51 a.m. with reports of an injured owl in the right-hand lane. Within three minutes, Maryland Natural Resources Police Cpl. Mike Lathroum, an avid birder, and an Anne Arundel Police detective stopped. The detective turned on her vehicle's emergency lights to protect the injured bird near the median.

Authorities say Lathroum covered the barred owl with his jacket to calm it. He scooped it up and held it in his patrol car until another NRP officer could arrive to take it to the wildlife sanctuary for a medical evaluation.

Lathroum told WBAL TV the owl was probably hunting for mice, which are drawn there by people throwing food scraps out along the road. An owl diving to grab a rodent won't notice passing cars and can be hit.

The owl will heal at Frisky's Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary so it can be released, Lathroum said. The bird had no broken wings.

"We'll put some weight on her, make sure she's flying OK, make sure her senses are good, so she can see fine, she can hear fine. And once we determine that, she's good to go and she can hunt on her own (and we) will go ahead and release her," said Julie Dagnello, of the sanctuary.

Photos courtesy of Maryland Natural Resources Police