A Texas state trooper picked up an unusual passenger while patrolling Interstate 10 on Thursday. The wide-eyed hitchhiker had feathers, sharp talons and a knack for turning its head. And before long, it had a fitting nickname.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Raymond Torres spotted an injured owl in the center median of I-10 near Van Horn and decided to stop and investigate. What followed was an unexpected roadside rescue, captured in a video shared by DPS.
“I was on the I-10 eastbound mile marker 154, and I saw this guy on the side of the road, and I decided to head back to check on him,” Torres said in the video. “Turns out he’s still alive.”
The footage shows the owl perched inside Torres’ patrol vehicle, swiveling its head and taking in its unfamiliar surroundings. Torres gently pets the bird’s head, offering a few reassuring words.
“You’re good, buddy,” Torres tells the owl. “We’re good. It’s all right.”
It’s unclear how the owl was injured or how long it had been stranded along the busy highway. Torres transported the bird to the DPS office in Van Horn, where personnel from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stepped in to help. Somewhere along the way, troopers affectionately nicknamed their feathered friend “Big Tejano.”
“Not all calls to serve involve people! Sometimes, our feathered friends need a helping hand, too!” the DPS West Texas Region wrote on Facebook.
Big Tejano appears to be an adult great horned owl, one of Texas’ most formidable feathered predators. With its piercing orange eyes, prominent feather tufts resembling horns and barred chest, the species is hard to mistake. Great horned owls are found throughout Texas year-round, though their nocturnal habits and impressive camouflage make them difficult to spot.
Known for their deep, booming hoots, the powerful hunters have an appetite to match their intimidating appearance. Their menu includes rodents, rabbits and even skunks.
“As a trooper, you never know what each day will bring,” DPS wrote. “Moments like this remind us why strong partnerships with other state agencies and the community are so important.”
Following the rescue, Big Tejano was transported to the El Paso Zoo, where he spent Thursday night receiving care from zoo staff. The owl was given fluids, food and water, and staff also checked for additional internal injuries.