PA Wildlife Center Shocked To Receive A Strange Box With ‘Deafening’ Sounds Coming From Inside

Wildlife rescuers never really know what the day will bring. One moment it’s an injured squirrel, the next it’s a hawk tangled in fishing line.

But for Tracie Young, a rehabilitator at the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Pennsylvania, the surprise came in the form of a box dropped off by local Fish and Boat officers.

At first, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary cardboard box, but the sounds coming from inside were enough to raise goosebumps.

The noise was so loud and unsettling that it could’ve been mistaken for something straight out of a horror film, as Tracie recalled in an interview:

“It was deafening. If I’d heard that in the woods, I would’ve gotten out of there. It was like something from a Stephen King movie.”

Most people would’ve expected a dangerous animal or a strange creature to come bursting out.

But when Tracie carefully opened the lid, she came face-to-face with the real culprits: two very angry barn owls.

A farmer had discovered them in one of his silos. They were still young, just on the edge of learning how to fly, but their choice of a home wasn’t exactly convenient for him.

That’s when the local game officers stepped in. They safely captured the owls and delivered them to the wildlife center for care.

It was a tricky situation. On one hand, the owls were nearly old enough to be on their own. On the other, they clearly needed a helping hand if they were going to thrive outside of the silo.

The team at Raven Ridge quickly gave them a full check-up, making sure they were healthy and strong.

They even placed small identification bands on their legs, something that would help track them in the future.

Dinner came next, and the owls were more than ready. Still, they didn’t hold back on voicing their complaints the entire time.

Their screeches filled the room, as if they were demanding to be returned to their silo immediately.

Tracie couldn’t help but laugh at their sass, sharing:

“It was amazing to be able to handle them and see how spicy they really are. It was a great experience for myself and the volunteers.”

Here’s where the story takes a sweet twist. These weren’t the first barn owls to land at the center.

Just weeks earlier, another pair had arrived, making these new arrivals only the second pair ever cared for at Raven Ridge. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The rescuers decided to group the two new owls with the earlier pair. Suddenly, there weren’t just two lonely, screechy owls, but four young barn owls learning side by side, almost like an instant family.

Now, the little crew is working on their independence, practicing how to hunt and navigate their surroundings under the watchful eyes of their caretakers.

Soon enough, they’ll be released into the wild. Their powerful calls will echo through the night sky, not as desperate cries for help, but as confident voices of freedom.

And for the team who helped them get there, every call will be a reminder that the hard work was worth it.