Wildlife center reports death of snowy owl in Greene

By Staff Reports

Published: January 2, 2009

Greene County's Arctic visitor, the Snowy Owl, did not survive his journey.

On the Monday before Christmas, Dr. Dave McRuer, director of veterinary services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, said that two days earlier someone had brought in a sick snowy owl from Greene.

The bird was found on the ground near a pipeline.

"The bird was emaciated and infested with lice," McRuer said. "Despite all our efforts, the bird did end up dying."

"I have been getting reports from Nova Scotia of a number of birds turning up in the same condition," McRuer said. "Dozens to hundreds have been spotted all along the East Coast, and I would not be surprised to find more coming in this winter."

--Media General News Service