BOYDS, Md. — Earl, the barred owl found by Corporal Nikki Gilmore of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office on June 29, has unfortunately passed away.
According to a volunteer at Owl Moon Raptor Center, Earl had “severe eye and head trauma, leaving him unable to see.” Owl Moon founder Suzanne Shoemaker confirmed and said that Earl had severe damage to both eyes and would have been permanently blind. Because he was in a lot of pain and would never return to the wild, the center chose to humanely euthanize Earl.
The volunteer said that in cases like Earl’s, there’s little they can do but relieve his suffering. She added that the organization is grateful for concerned and compassionate members of the public…