PORT GAMBLE — Despite the best efforts of expert bird rescuers, Lili, an injured barred owl, has died.
Lili, an 8-month-old female barred owl weighing less than 2 pounds with a wingspan of 15 inches, died in her sleep Saturday night at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter on Bainbridge Island due to injuries.
“It wasn’t something we could fix,” said wildlife care technician Brandy Steir.
Peninsula Daily News Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant, in a front-page article Friday [ https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131221/news/312219990/0/SEARCH ], described how the owl hit his car as well as his attempts to get the injured bird to a place that could help.
Initially, bird rescue specialists thought she had suffered a bruised eye, a bloody nose and muscle damage. However, when Lili tried to feed, they discovered an injury that could not be healed.
“They said she had a broken beak,” Bermant said.
Bermant named Lili, after his mother, who died in 2011.
Unlike most owls, Lili had a lifetime of contact with humans.
Lili was born at the home of Jamie Acker, a Bainbridge Island resident who runs a local banding program, and was previously treated at the wildlife center after a collision with a window.
The previous injury was thought to be caused by confusion caused by a window’s reflection.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.