Pennsylvania Rescuers Hear Terrifying Sounds From Box, Then Make An Unexpected Discovery

Nature has a way of delivering surprises when we least anticipate them.

For Tracie Young, who works as a rehabilitator at the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, Pennsylvania, that surprise arrived in the shape of an unusual box brought in by local officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

What was truly shocking wasn’t the box itself, but the loud noise coming from inside it. As she shared 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.”

That definitely sets a spooky mood! You might think something terrifying was inside, like a creature with sharp teeth or glowing eyes.

When Tracie lifted the lid of the box, she braced herself for whatever might be inside. To her relief, it wasn’t anything frightening at all — just the cries of two very distressed barn owls.

She later explained that a local farmer had discovered the pair in one of his silos. They were still juveniles, only a few days shy of being able to take flight on their own.

However, being in the silo wasn’t great for the farmer, so something had to be done. The local game officers, who often help wildlife, safely captured the owls and brought them to the rehabilitation center for care. 

It was a bit of a mixed scenario — the owls were nearly ready to live on their own, yet they needed a helping hand a little earlier than nature had planned.

Once at the wildlife center, the pair were given a thorough examination. Volunteers looked them over carefully and fitted small identification bands on their legs to keep track of their progress.

After that, it was time for dinner, which everyone was looking forward to. Throughout this whole process, the owls made their feelings known loud and clear. 

They hooted and screeched, expressing their frustration and clearly wanting to return to their cozy silo and the exciting adventures waiting for them.

Even though they might have needed earplugs, the wildlife handlers were thankful for the chance to work with these amazing birds. Tracie added:

“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.”

Now, here’s the fun twist in the story. Surprisingly, these two chatty young owls were only the second pair of barn owls the center had ever taken care of. 

By a stroke of luck, another pair of barn owls had arrived at the center only a few weeks before. It almost felt as though fate had chosen Raven Ridge Wildlife Center as the safe haven where these young owls were meant to be.

Thanks to a brilliant idea and some caring help, the rescuers successfully placed the noisy new owls back with the other pair, who were hopefully a bit more settled. It’s like they became an instant family! 

Now, the four fluffy owls thrive together. They’re slowly gaining the skills they need to live on their own, practicing how to hunt and getting used to the world around them.

It won’t be long before they take to the skies, their voices carrying into the night — not in distress, but in confidence — as they embrace their freedom with just one concern left: tracking down their next tasty rodent snack.