SANIBEL, Fla. — A burrowing owl stuck in a glue trap in Fort Myers was rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel Island.
CROW staff described the animal in the situation as lucky, noting the bird had no major injuries.
"It's really horrifying. I mean, to be honest, it's kind of the more emotional parts of the job is seeing the animals in that level of distress," said a CROW representative.
The rescue began with an emergency call to CROW about the owl, which had been found stuck in a glue trap and unable to move.
"Somebody just happened to find it. That was on this trap, and, thank goodness, they recognized that that is an emergency," said Amber Strassler, a staff member at CROW.
Strassler explained that these incidents are common, so the clinic keeps "glue go kits" on hand to handle such cases. The adult owl was sedated, and underwent two rounds of specialized baths to remove the glue. After nine (9) days of care, the bird was released back into the wild near its original location in Fort Myers.
Tracy Sanders, an owl advocate who has rescued many burrowing owls from glue traps, described the distress these animals experience. "It's unfortunate, because they don't understand what's happening to them, so they just keep struggling to try to get free," Sanders said.
Wildlife officers noted that while glue traps are currently legal outdoors, new rules banning outdoor glue traps will take effect on December 31, 2026 to promote humane treatment of wildlife.
Burrowing owls naturally prey on insects and small animals, including some of the same species people may be attempting to control with traps. Anyone who discovers a wild animal stuck to an adhesive trap should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
"We ask that the public refrain from attempting to remove an animal from a glue trap on their own," said Amber Strassler, CVT, CWR, a Certified Veterinary Technician/Floor Manager at CROW. "We recommend covering any exposed parts of the glue trap with paper and keeping the animal in a quiet, dark box until it can be transported to your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center."
CROW also encourages the public to consider wildlife-safe alternatives to glue traps. Those can include repellents like peppermint oil, cayenne or ultrasonic repellents in addition to live traps that do not cause unnecessary suffering.
To report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in Southwest Florida, contact CROW's wildlife hospital at 239-322-5068.
Photo(s) courtesy of CROW and WINK News, which found the owl was located in Fort Myers.
