Barred Owl Rescued from Marshfield Chimney Released Into Wild

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – REGI (Raptor Education Group, Inc.) recently announced the successful rescue and release of Sooty, a barred owl whose unexpected adventure caught the attention of many.

The story began with a call to the Marshfield Police Department reporting strange noises from a resident’s chimney. Despite a prior check by animal control, Officer Kayla Wolf took charge and dismantled the fireplace to free the trapped animal, revealing Sooty, a soot-covered barred owl.

“It’s not uncommon to get a call regarding an animal in someone’s chimney,” said Wolf. “Typically, the animal is in the fireplace area, and capturing them is easier. During this call, however, the owl was up above the clay flue and in the chimney itself. This presented more of a problem because I only had about an inch and a half to two inches on either side of the flue. After removing some screws in the fireplace and pushing the flue aside, I was able to capture the owl safely.”

Sooty, who had been stuck in the chimney for four days, was brought to REGI for care. After ten days of treatment, he was ready for release. Officer Wolf released Sooty back to his territory, where he flew off and perched in a nearby tree.

“REGI asked me if I wanted to be part of the release process, and I happily accepted,” said Wolf. “It’s not too often that I get to see the animals I send to rehabilitation centers after their care, and I find myself wondering from time to time how things turned out. I met with the same transport volunteer on the evening of March 6th. She gave me the honor of releasing the owl. It made me incredibly happy to see the owl fly out of the transport box and safely into the trees.”

Sooty’s presence in the chimney was likely due to his natural nesting habits and pursuit of prey during breeding season. His story serves as a reminder to be mindful of wildlife and take simple precautions to prevent similar incidents.

As Sooty returns to his role in the local ecosystem, REGI emphasizes the importance of conservation and responsible coexistence with nature. To support their nonprofit efforts, visit this page.

We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!