Mouse School: Class of 2026

From Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

This red-phase Eastern Screech Owl was lucky to survive after being struck by a car and being stuck in the grille for over 12 hours. Despite this traumatic event, the owl came away with no broken bones, but did have an injured left eye that required surgical evisceration (removal of the internal contents of the globe, but preservation of the sclera and surrounding structures).

While other raptors cannot be released without two perfectly good eyes, owls have the benefit of their excellent hearing that can help offset the loss of vision in one eye. However, when you have head trauma strong enough to cause such severe damage to an eye, you can sometimes have lasting damage to the brain or to the ears.

Because this kind of damage can be harder to observe on physical exam alone, owls that have a visual deficit must have their flight and hunting skills tested through what we call "mouse school." Mouse school is essentially providing a live mouse in the enclosure of the owl and, with a game camera, observing and confirming the owl can successfully fly and catch this live prey without issue. This helps us rule out any permanent or debilitating brain or hearing damage, and ensure that the owl has the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

As long as this owl continues to heal as expected and passes mouse school, they'll soon be cleared for release!