A white snowy owl that is among a mass migration into our region and was found clinging to life in LaPorte County has died.
The Indiana Humane Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso says that a male first-year bird found lying on the side of the road in Hanna was not able to recover from its emaciated and dehydrated condition.
The Indy Star reports that a second snowy owl the center rescued is doing well. The female first-year bird was also weak and emaciated, but is doing better and is expected to be released back into the wild. At least two-dozen of the birds are calling Indiana home since the fall after a good breeding year in their summer habitat of northern Canada.
Hoosiers are asked to leave the owls be if you see one in the wild and to not feed them. If you see one that’s sick or struggling, contact wildlife officials.
