Cheryl Smith wins “Name the Owl” contest
July 1, 2010
Wentzville, MO
The Wentzville Firefighters Community Outreach Program received fifty-six different names for the Barred owl that struck a Wentzville fire engine on the morning of April 22, 2010. The Wentzville fire engine was responding to a reported structure fire when it was struck by the flying Barred Owl.
The Barred Owl was dazed and had a broken wing. The owl was taken to the World Bird Sanctuary’s hospital by one of the fire district’s staff. The owl has had a surgery to repair its wing. Currently the owl is undergoing physical therapy to regain full use of the wing and be able to be released back into the wild. The staff at the World Bird Sanctuary is saying that after the therapy the owl will be released into their flight enclosure to be evaluated. If the therapy is a success the owl will then be released back in the area where it had been hit.
This brings us to the winner of the “Name the Owl” contest. The winning name chosen by a vote of the firefighters is “Maltese.” The winning submission was sent in by Cheryl Smith. Mrs. Smith will receive the prize of the “Return to the Wild” release package. It is the hope that she will be there to assist in the release of Maltese. If Maltese cannot be released, Mrs. Smith will be able to release a different bird of prey that has been rehabilitated at the World Bird Sanctuary.
The Wentzville Fire District covers 88 square miles of Western St. Charles County and includes the cities of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill and Josephville; as well as large portions of Lake St. Louis, Dardenne Prarie and O’Fallon.
From the Wentzville Fire District
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