An eastern screech owl that was hit by a car near Schuylkill County has found shelter at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center.

A Facebook user named Jessica Navitsky posted on the center’s social media page last week, thanking its employees for taking over the owl’s care after Navitsky accidentally hit it with her car driving around Tuscarora State Park. Navitsky said the owl’s talon got stuck in the grille of her car.

Once freed, she put the owl in a cage and covered it with a blanket. Navitsky took it to the environmental center on Friday.

Jeannie Carl, a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, said the owl’s care is being headed by its chief naturalist and animal rehabilitator, Susan Gallagher.

Carl says the center sees anywhere between 500 to 1,000 similar cases of wild animals injured and in need of rehabilitation each year.

“Unfortunately, we do see it quite often,” Carl said.

She added that owl cases are more prominent around this time of year, as they scavenge for food near busy roads.

The owl’s gender has yet to be determined, but Carl said it seems to be doing well. It had no apparent injuries, and shelter experts will test the owl’s flying ability before its release.

“He’s a very lucky animal,” Carl said.

If you find an injured wild animal in your custody, Carl said the center can help.

“If they find something, they can bring it to us. Absolutely,” she said.

You’re advised not to feed the animal or give it water, as it could affect recovery.