iN VIDEO: Rescued North Okanagan owl released back into the wild

A great horned owl, lovingly named Whodini, headed back to his hunting grounds in Enderby yesterday, Feb. 16, after almost a month of rehab.

The owl was found caught 30 feet in the air in netting at a ball diamond in Enderby Jan. 22, and had to be rescued.

B.C. Hydro crews, with the help of some heavy machinery, managed to free the owl who was then transferred into the care of Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society volunteer Paul Christie.

"I wasn't sure that bird would even make it," Christie said.

Whodini was then flown to Vancouver where staff at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society took care of him.

The rehabilitation society's general manager Rob Hope said the raptor had a laceration between his toes, as well as a dislocated toe.

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After almost one month in rehab, the owl was ready to be released.

"We made sure he could catch mice," Hope said. "We always send our birds back to where they came from."

Whodini then headed back to the North Okanagan for his big day.

The owl took to the sky at the same place he was trapped almost a month early.

Christie said he was "elated" at seeing the bird being released.

"It's a wonderful thing to watch these birds that you spent time rescuing and… worry about… and you get a chance to release a healthy bird," Christie said. "It's a great feeling."

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