Great-horned Owl Adopts Baby at Lancaster Wildlife Rescue

Raven Ridge Wildlife Center pairs rescued adult owl with orphaned owlet to give the baby a chance at survival in the wild.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular forms, and precise organic spirals, conceptually visualizing the complex biological and behavioral forces at play in an interspecies animal adoption.An abstract visual representation of the remarkable interspecies adoption that gave an orphaned owlet a chance at survival under the protective care of a rescued adult great-horned owl.Lancaster Today

The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, recently took in an adult female great-horned owl that was rescued from an electrical fence. Around the same time, the center also received a baby great-horned owl that was found at the bottom of a stairway, too small to be out of the nest and without a parent. Recognizing the adult female was still in nesting mode, the center decided to pair the two, allowing the adult to continue her mothering role and ensuring the baby owl would not imprint on humans and could learn from its own species.

Why it matters

This type of owl adoption is an uncommon but heartwarming occurrence in the world of wildlife rehabilitation. It demonstrates the innate maternal instincts of great-horned owls and the dedication of wildlife centers to give orphaned animals the best chance at survival in their natural habitats.

The details

The adult female great-horned owl was rescued from an electrical fence and showed signs of nesting, but was unable to fly or stand. Two days later, the center received a baby great-horned owl that had been found at the bottom of a stairway, too small to be out of the nest and without a parent. Recognizing the adult female's nesting behavior, the center decided to pair the two, taking a risk to allow the adult to continue her mothering role and ensure the baby owl would not imprint on humans and could learn from its own species.

  • Last week, the center took in the adult female great-horned owl.
  • Two days later, the center received the baby great-horned owl.

The players

Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Once healthy, the center plans to release the adult female great-horned owl and the adopted baby owl together near the area where the adult was originally rescued.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story demonstrates the dedication of wildlife rehabilitation centers to give orphaned animals the best chance at survival in their natural habitats, even through unconventional means like interspecies adoption. The successful pairing of the rescued adult owl and the orphaned owlet highlights the innate maternal instincts of great-horned owls and the remarkable resilience of these birds.