Target: Director J. Shirley, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Goal: Order a full investigation into the incident where a young owl was found covered in concrete, and institute statewide wildlife-safety protocols for industrial sites.
A great-horned owl was discovered with a large portion of his body covered in hardened concrete after he was found near a concrete mixer. Rescuers say daily anesthetized baths were needed to peel off the cement as gently as possible, and the juvenile owl now has a positive prognosis. This case is shocking because it shows how quickly industrial hazards can become deadly for wildlife.
While this rescue is a success story, the circumstances raise urgent questions. If an unsecured mixer or work area enabled an owl to become coated in concrete, similar dangers could be silently threatening other raptors and animals. Concrete, adhesives, open tanks, and chemical pits can cause severe burns, suffocation, or fatal entrapment. Without clear prevention standards and enforcement, “accidents” like this may recur and remain unreported.
Utah can lead by example. The wildlife agency can require common-sense safeguards: covered mixers and vats when idle, exclusion netting, pre-operation wildlife checks, rapid reporting to authorities, and mandatory staff training. This petition urges an immediate investigation to determine how this incident occurred and demands statewide, enforceable wildlife-safety rules for construction, resort, and industrial properties. Preventative measures will save animals’ lives and reduce liability for businesses.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director Shirley,
We respectfully request that the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conduct a thorough investigation into the reported case of a great-horned owl found with much of his body encased in concrete after an apparent concrete-mixer incident. Rescuers say the owl required repeated anesthetized baths to remove hardened cement, and while his prognosis is now positive, the outcome could easily have been fatal.
If unsecured equipment or inadequate site practices allowed this entrapment, we ask your office to determine what happened, identify any responsible parties, and, where appropriate, refer matters for enforcement. Just as importantly, we urge you to issue statewide, enforceable wildlife-safety standards for industrial and construction sites—covering mixers and vats when idle, installing exclusion barriers, conducting pre-operation wildlife checks, instituting rapid reporting to UDWR, and requiring worker training.
Clear rules and accountability will deter negligence, protect Utah’s raptors and other wildlife, and give businesses consistent guidance. Please act swiftly so incidents like this are prevented rather than treated after the fact.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Peter K Burian
