KENNEBUNK — An owl that was injured after being struck by a car in October in Kennebunk has been returned to the wild, thanks to the care from a local wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Police responded to a call of an injured owl struck by a car on Oct. 29, according to a written statement from the Kennebunk Police Department.

The owl was taken to the Center for Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Cape Neddick. The owl was rehabilitated and released into the wild on Tuesday, according to police.

Shelley Spanswick, medical clinic director for the Center for Wildlife said the owl was returned to the place it was found on Old Falls Road by the town’s animal control officer.

Spanswick said when the owl was found in October, it was alert but had damage to one of its eyes. With the help and care of the center, the owl is now in good health.

“They have an amazing ability to heal,” said Spanswick.

The Center for Wildlife is currently caring for five barred owls and one Eastern screech owl that have been struck by cars. Owls struck by cars can, in addition to eye trauma, suffer head trauma or broken wings.

“Imagine weighing around 6 ounces and being struck by a 4,000-pound vehicle,” stated Center for Wildlife officials in a Facebook post.

Some years the center cares for between 10 and 20 owls, but has cared for as many as 60 in one year, Spanswick said.

The Center of Wildlife advises people to keep food and trash out of roadways, not drive distracted and not use rodenticide.

If food is scarce, owls, particularly juveniles, may increasingly go toward roadways in search of food.

“While on the move and still getting the hang of hunting, a mouse on the road eating a French fry, or sluggish from ingesting rodenticide seems like easy prey (for owls) but is actually a death sentence,” say Center for Wildlife officials.

Kennebunk Police say the town’s animal control officer is very appreciative of the services the Center for Wildlife performs at no cost to the town. A donation bin is located in the police station lobby where items for the center can be dropped off. Items needed include unscented laundry detergent, tissues, paper towels and Hannaford supermarket gift certificates.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.