Trapped Barn Owl Rescued From Under Foster City Bridge

FOSTER CITY, CA -- A barn owl that had been trapped underneath a bridge in Foster City for two days has been rescued, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA said Tuesday.

The PHS/SPCA along with Foster City police orchestrated the rescue of the barn owl, which had been stranded under a bridge at 900 Foster City Blvd.

"A kind-hearted Foster City resident named Ross Sakata noticed a barn owl who was in the same place for two days under a bridge in Foster City and seemed unable to fly," PHS/SPCA spokesperson Buffy Martin Tarbox said in a news release.

"The owl was in the water and only accessible by boat. Thanks to a quick thinking Foster City police officer, she contacted someone who was willing to donate his time and boat to venture into the water to save the bird," Tarbox said.

The bird, which was under a year old, might have gotten stuck under the bridge after hunting and then becoming too tired to fly away, Tarbox said.

The owl was captured by net on Monday, brought to shore, and transported to PHS/SPCA Wildlife Care Center for examination and treatment. It was found to be exhausted, dehydrated, and slightly hypothermic, according to the nonprofit.

PHS/SPCA staff put the bird in an incubator to warm up, and gave it fluids.

The animal protection organization said Tuesday that the owl's condition had improved, and that they will continue to monitor and treat it.

Bay City News contributed to this report.