A young great horned owl’s remarkable survival story after getting trapped in a cement mixer demonstrates the incredible dedication of Utah wildlife rescuers who refused to give up on saving this magnificent predator.
See the video below.
Story Highlights
- A great horned owl survived being partially encased in concrete at a Utah construction site.
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary workers spent days painstakingly removing dried concrete with forceps and toothbrushes.
- Bird regained flight ability within two weeks but must wait until spring for full recovery.
- Concrete damage prevents silent hunting until the owl naturally sheds affected feathers.
Remarkable Rescue Operation at Utah Sanctuary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, received an extraordinary case in November 2025 when a young great horned owl arrived with its face, chest, and right wing covered in dried concrete.
The bird had somehow gotten inside a cement mixer at the Black Desert Resort in southwestern Utah. Sanctuary workers immediately prioritized ensuring the owl could breathe before beginning the delicate removal process, using forceps, toothbrushes, dish soap, and careful handwork over several days.
A great-horned owl arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah after falling into a concrete mixer at a nearby construction site. pic.twitter.com/8dsJJdu3zJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 19, 2025
Young Owl’s Inexperience Led to a Dangerous Situation
Bart Richwalski from the animal sanctuary explained that the owl’s predicament likely stemmed from its youth and inexperience. The bird’s smaller size indicates it’s male, and young great horned owls often make poor decisions as they learn to navigate their environment.
This owl’s curiosity about the cement mixer nearly proved fatal, but sanctuary workers described the bird as a “fighter” throughout the challenging rescue, which required extreme patience and precision.
Flight Recovery Hindered by Concrete Damage
While the owl regained its ability to fly within two weeks of the concrete removal, the ordeal permanently altered its hunting capabilities. Chief Sanctuary Officer Judah Battista noted that great horned owls possess specialized downy feathers that enable silent flight during hunts.
The concrete severely frayed these essential feathers, causing the owl to make audible “whooshing” sounds while flying. This noise would severely compromise the bird’s hunting success and survival in the wild.
Spring Release Planned After Natural Feather Replacement
The sanctuary plans to release the recovered owl back to its natural habitat near the discovery location, avoiding the construction site where the incident occurred.
However, the release must wait until the bird naturally sheds its damaged feathers and grows new ones, restoring its silent flight capability. Battista expects this molting process to be completed by spring or summer 2025, giving the young owl the best chance for successful reintegration into the wild and effective hunting ability.
