1st Response Wildlife is frequently called to remove animals from chimneys. Raccoons, for example, choose chimneys, along with attics, all the time as a safe place to birth their young. In those cases, the mother raccoon scouts out a chimney or attic where she can easily crawl in and out and feel that her young will be safe if she leaves to forage.
When 1st Response Wildlife is called to remove a bird from a chimney, however, there is a bit of urgency because, once a bird falls into a chimney, it can no longer spread its wings wide enough to fly back out. So, as it descends into the chimney it basically flutters as it attempts to stop its fall but ends up down in the fireplace, if the flue is open, or in the opening above flue, if the flue is closed.
Methods of retrieving a bird in a chimney vary, depending on the size of the bird, the shape of the chimney, and whether the bird has actually fallen into the fireplace below or is situated in the area above the flue. In all cases, if a bird is retrieved, time is of the essence to remove it before it dies in the chimney/flue area. Sometimes a bird is injured or injures itself in the fall or in trying to get back out but, it always is in some kind of stress because of its situation.
1st Response Wildlife recently responded to a call of a bird in a chimney and found that a homeowner had a rather large bird in the area just above the flue. After evaluating the situation, it was determined that the best approach in this case was to remove the bird by going through the fireplace and up into the flue, rather than trying to bring the large bird up and out of the chimney from above. Using “raptor,” gloves, the bird was challenged to react to an arm being placed in close proximity to where it was located above the flue and as predicted, it defensively grabbed the gloved arm. Since these gloves are Kevlar lined, other than pressure, there was no injury sustained as the owl reacted and, in fact, it probably felt a little more secure in being able to "perch," on something it could get its talons around rather than the sloping surface of the flue. This action allowed for its talons to be stabilized with the second glove and then it was safely removed.
When the bird was brought out of the flue, it was identified as a Great Horned Owl. Although not fully grown, its talons represented a significant danger if raptor gloves had not been used, and, without a rapid response by 1st Response Wildlife to come and remove it, the owl would probably not have survived very long.
Below is a picture of Josh inspecting the Owl for any damage to its wing. (Safe removal and preparation for a release back into the wild always includes a close inspection of an animal removed after a fall down a chimney. If any injury is noted, then a rehabber is called and, before the animal/bird can be released, it must be treated and nursed back to health.) Note the raptor glove and, of course the soot from the fireplace and chimney on his shirt.
In the second picture, you can see that the Great Horned Owl has passed its health inspection and is ready to be released back into the wild. The chimney it fell into now has been covered to keep out any other birds or animals from falling into it or using it for the purpose of birthing and the Great Horned Owl is happily back hunting in the neighborhood.
If you have any birds or animals in your chimney, or any other wildlife questions, or service needs, please give 1st Response Wildlife a call.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), Javelina, coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
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