This cop gives a hoot; saves owl from highway

This Cop Gives A Hoot; Saves Owl from Highway

Posted by
1 min read
January 19, 2026

State trooper rescues injured owl from I-81 median in Oswego County

OSWEGO COUNTY, N.Y. – A New York State Police trooper is being credited with saving a young barred owl that was struck by a vehicle and left injured along Interstate 81 earlier this week.

Trooper Christopher Gibbs spotted the owl on the median shoulder just feet from active traffic lanes and quickly stopped to help. According to state police, Gibbs safely removed the bird from the roadway and transported it to a nearby bird sanctuary for treatment.

This cop gives a hoot; saves owl from highway
Photo: this cop gives a hoot; saves owl from highway

Wildlife experts at the sanctuary, known for its rehabilitation work with birds of prey, are now caring for the owl along with several eagles and other raptors recovering from injuries.

State police praised Trooper Gibbs’ quick response, saying his actions likely saved the bird’s life and served as a reminder of the department’s broader mission to protect life in all forms.

A New York State Police trooper rescued an injured barred owl from Interstate 81 in Oswego County, bringing it to a sanctuary for care.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss