Rarely seen by the public, baby great horned owls are being treated at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and it's hard to believe that the nine palm-sized puffballs with curious yellow eyes will grow into fierce raptors of the woods.
Four of the infant owls survived a fall to the ground near Colton after someone unknowingly cut down a tree where they were nesting. The other five were brought to a veterinarian in after their nest was destroyed inside a chimney during a home remodel. With no nest to be returned to, babies on the ground are vulnerable. At this age, they would probably not survive if left on the ground. The parents will still try to protect them and feed them if they are on the ground, but keeping them warm is another story. It's important that the owls don't imprint on humans. Plans are to release the baby owls this summer.
The more independent they are, the better.
The owls must be fed three times a day, and if they survive will stand 2 feet tall with a 4-foot wingspan.