Many were armed with cameras to capture the moment when the owl, who got himself into trouble when he tried to grab dinner in a nearby duck pen, was released back into the wild.
“It's always a good feeling to be able to help something wild and turn it back,” said Sheila Johannesen, the town's animal control officer.
Dan Dorow and his son, Luke, 9, were among the spectators on hand to watch the owl take flight.
Dorow said the owl had killed one of his ducks and then struck again two days later when it got into the pen and left a second duck dead.
The owl was injured in the second attack, but the Dorows didn't want to see it suffer despite their loss. They immediately called for help.
“We've lost ducks to predators, but we're understanding of it. It's nature. Everybody has to eat,” he said.
Johannesen and Fish and Game Conservation Officer Chris McKee were called to the Dorow home to help the injured owl.
“When we found it, it was bleeding from just above its beak, right between the eyes, and it was a little malnourished,” McKee said.
Kelly said the owl has abrasions on both eyes and its toe.
The owl was successfully treated with antibiotics and recuperated with help from Kelly, who runs On the Wing Wildlife Rehabilitation.
“He's been hooting. He's been calling his mate. He's ready to go,” she said.
The crowd watched with excitement as McKee set the owl free. The owl flew into the woods and perched high up in a tree behind the school as the people below snapped photos.
Dave and Pam Solomon of Sandown brought their 3-year-old daughter, Phoebee, who climbed up on her dad's shoulders to watch the release.
“We have barred owls in our area but I've never seen a great horned owl,” Pam said.
Allison Yeagle of Brentwood also brought her kids.
“I was amazed at how many people were here. I think it's great,” she said.
(Union Leader - Jan 23, 2016)
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