City of Largo, Florida

Several months ago, an injured Great Horned Owl was brought to Busch Gardens in Tampa after being struck by a car. The bird unfortunately suffered a broken wing and was unable to fly. Busch Gardens' veterinarian, Dr. Black helped to save the bird's wing by performing several operations involving inserting a pin into the humerus bone, which was shattered from the accident. For several weeks following the surgeries, the Animal Care Center at Busch Gardens rehabbed the bird and nursed it back to health.

Local Bird of Prey Specialist, Barb Walker, heard about the injured owl and contacted the staff at McGough Nature Center in Largo. She was very familiar with the incident that happened over a year ago, where the center's Great Horned Owl, J.R. was released from his cage overnight by vandals and was unable to be recaptured. Eager to have a new Great Horned Owl, McGough Nature Center gladly accepted to continue to care for the animal.

The owl will be getting a new home at McGough, thanks to Troop 135 Eagle Scout candidate, Casey Sammel. The $1,400 needed for construction materials has generously been donated by the Clearwater Audubon Society. The enclosure will be built over the next few weeks with the help of Troop 135 and will be placed outside next to the existing cage at McGough Nature Center that houses the Barred Owl, Matilda.