Poisoned snowy owl is saved and returned to the wild in Rye as a crowd cheers
RYE — The rehabilitation journey of a poisoned snowy owl chronicled on social media brought hundreds of people to the Odiorne Point boat launch on Sunday to witness its release.
The snowy owl was found in Seabrook last month suffering from rodenticide poisoning, a traumatic diagnosis that occurs when birds of prey eat rodents that have been exposed to poison.
More: Rat poisons are killing New England eagles and owls. How you can help save them.
The injured owl was taken in by On the Wing, a raptor rehabilitation center in Epping, where it was treated and nursed back to health over the last several weeks. Because of where it was found, the owl was nicknamed "Seabrook."
On the Wing's Jane Kelly kept the public in-the-know on the owl's journey via Facebook and Instagram posts every couple of days. The release event held in Rye on Sunday, March 13 drew people of all ages from far and wide to cheer on the snowy owl as it rejoined the wild.
Previous story: Snowy owls return to Seacoast. Why they're here and how humans can avoid harming them
Snowy owls, typically beginning in November, travel from the Arctic tundra in Canada and Alaska toward New England, some going further south. The annual trip is made in search of food.
Curious local birdwatchers and photographers, however, are advised not to harm the snowy owls by getting close and disturbing them. The stress can cause them to feel the need to move when they are exhausted, potentially leading to death, experts advise.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Poisoned snowy owl is rescued, returned to the wild in Rye, NH
