Drama in Altmünster: Fire brigade frees eagle owl from fixed chimney!

Drama in Altmünster: Fire brigade frees eagle owl from fixed chimney!

On Tuesday evening, September 9th, 2025, the Altmünster Volunteer Fire Department and the Upper Austria Animal Rescue Service were called to an extraordinary operation. The homeowners had heard a strange rustling noise coming from their chimney and decided to call for help. It turned out that an eagle owl weighing almost ten kilograms was trapped in the chimney pipe. This reported, among other things Fireworld.

During the first site inspection, the operations team discovered that the eagle owl was only visible through a small maintenance door. In order not to cause unnecessary stress or injury to the animal, a veterinarian was involved in the rescue planning. Commander Christian Gruber emphasized the importance of a careful approach. After several failed attempts to guide the eagle owl upwards, it was decided to enlarge the opening in the chimney door using special tools. This collaborative effort between fire and animal rescue represented an example of collaboration between volunteers and specialized organizations.

The rescue operation

The entire rescue operation lasted almost two hours. How Tips Reportedly, the eagle owl was finally caught with scratch- and bite-resistant gloves and placed in a transport cage. Although the bird only sustained minor injuries, it was severely exhausted. After the successful rescue, he was taken to the Aurachtal wildlife station.

The eagle owl is cared for there by Gabi Kaar. According to current information, the bird is already well recovered and has regained its appetite. Once fully recovered, the eagle owl will be released into its natural environment, highlighting the positive progress made in animal rescue.

The role of animal rescue

Animal rescue measures such as those carried out in this case are often only important when it comes to acute emergencies. This is also shown by the information blog from SV Saxony, who explains that the fire department usually saves animals when their lives are in danger. Emergency services often work closely with animal rescue organizations that specialize in such emergencies. Volunteer helpers and financial support from donations are essential for the success of these operations.

The example in Altmünster not only illustrates the challenges of rescuing animals in need, but also the need for a professional and cooperative approach. The Altmünster fire department would like to expressly thank Dominik Aicher from animal rescue for the valuable cooperation during the operation.