LI Wildlife Rescuers Rehabilitate Great Horned Owl, Baby Opossums

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — The Star Foundation in Middle Island was kept a little busy at the end of August when some injured wildlife was rescued and taken to the facility for rehabilitation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials said.

A Great Horned Owl and three baby opossums that were found in the Town of Islip were all found the same day — Aug. 25, according to the DEC. The Great Horned Owl had become stuck in a soccer net in Oakdale overnight and when it was freed the next day, the bird of prey would not leave the field, so good Samaritans reached to the DEC out of concern the owl might be injured, DEC officials said.

An Environmental Conservation Officer was able to capture the owl and transport it to the Star Foundation, but a rehabilitator there did not see any noticeable injuries and suspected the owl would be released the next day, DEC officials said.

Three baby opossums were also found in the backyard of a home in West Islip, DEC officials said, adding, that the babies were seen walking up the driveway earlier that morning, with no sign of their mother. The trio of baby opossums was determined to be too young to be left to fend for themselves, and an ECO took them to the Star Foundation, where they will be given care until they are big enough to be released, according to the DEC.