In a heartwarming rescue late Thursday night, the California Highway Patrol came to the aid of an enchanting owl that had crash-landed on a bustling Southern California road.

The owl, appearing injured, was discovered around 10:14 p.m. on a busy three-lane stretch in Stevenson Ranch, according to Officer Luis Quintero of the California Highway Patrol, as reported by the California Post.

The officers were quick to spot the large-eyed, tawny-feathered owl stranded along The Old Road, slightly north of Stevenson Ranch Parkway in Santa Clarita.

Struggling and vulnerable, the owl lay on its back in the left lane, its wings flapping against the unforgiving asphalt.

With gentle hands, two patrol officers carefully placed the beleaguered bird into an open-air box, securing it in the back seat of their patrol car.

From there, the owl was taken to the California Highway Patrol office in Newhall, where Castaic Animal Control took over its care at around 1:00 a.m.