Bird Entanglement: The Great Horned Owl Crisis in Missouri's Soccer Fields

Understanding the Risk of Bird Entanglement

In Missouri, particularly around St. Louis, the problem of bird entanglement has become increasingly alarming. The World Bird Sanctuary has reported multiple incidents where great horned owls are getting caught in soccer nets. As stated by Jeff Mesach, the deputy director, 'Our theory is they see prey on the other side of the soccer net and they’re sitting on the opposite side.'

The Growing Concern for Great Horned Owls

• Recent statistics show that around 6 million birds flew through the region on a particular night, raising concerns about bird entanglement.
• In the past two months, eight great horned owls have been entangled in soccer nets.
• While five have been released, three remain in the World Bird Sanctuary's care due to severe injuries.

They can sustain broken feathers and bones when entangled, and, regrettably, can struggle to death if not rescued. Community awareness is essential in preventing these incidents.

How You Can Help

1. Monitor soccer fields after games and remove nets to help prevent bird collisions.
2. If you encounter a raptor or owl entangled in a net, contact the World Bird Sanctuary for help.
3. Spread the word about this issue on social media and local communities.