First Wildlife Injury Reported From Sleeper Lakes Wildfire in Luce County, Michigan

August 23, 2007 -- A juvenile Northern Saw-whet owl rescued Tuesday from the Sleeper Lakes wildfire in Luce County, Michigan has been transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Gladstone for further care and treatment. The owl was found a few days ago near the fire line by a hand crew from Wisconsin working on containing the fire. The crew observed the owl for a few days before determining it had been seriously injured and should be brought in to the Department of Natural Resources Newberry field office for care.

The owl appears to have sustained injuries to its feet, including burns and broken toes. The owl was examined at the field office by DNR Wildlife Biologist Kristie Sitar, who determined the extent of the injuries. The DNR contacted wildlife rehabilitator Randy Bruntjenz, a former DNR fire officer, to provide further care and treatment for the owl. Because owls need strong and healthy feet to be able to hunt and survive, the bird will not be returned to the wild and will be used for educational purposes.

The owl is about fledging age and his prognosis for recovery is good. Since being brought in from the fire, the owl has been flapping his wings, preening, looking around and chirping.

Northern Saw-whet owls are very small and short-bodied with a relatively short tail. They are approximately 6.5 to 8.5 inches in length, weigh 2.5 to 4 ounces and have a wing span of 18 to 22 inches. Because they are so small, they are rarely observed, which makes this survivor of the fire all the more important from an educational perspective. Northern Saw-whet owls are nocturnal and typically prey on small mammals, with deer mice comprising a majority of their diet. Other prey includes shrews, voles, squirrels, moles and bats.

The Sleeper Lakes fire is estimated today at 18,185 acres and 80 percent contained. For more information about the fire, call the toll-free fire information line at 877-261-3473. Information about the Sleeper Lakes fire is also regularly posted on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Source: Michigan DNR