Birds of Prey at GWDC
A number of years ago, the Grizzly & Wolf Discover Center was presented with the offer to obtain two non-releasable raptors from a small zoo in western Nebraska. Since that time, the GWDC has recognized the value of taking care of numerous birds-of-prey and presenting their stories to our visitors. Some of the raptors are off-exhibit and others are housed in our seasonal outdoor raptor exhibit area May thru November.
Additionally, the Center has developed an outreach program that allows for these live hawks, owls, falcons and eagle to travel to nearby schools for some exciting class work.
All of the birds that are permitted to reside at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center have been determined, by veterinarians, to be non-releasable into the wild. Some of the birds have been hit by vehicles and are unable to fly or see well, while others have behavioral challenges that make it impossible for survival in the wild.
Chip, a male American Kestrel, was found injured in the spring of 2004. He was unable to fly due to a severed wing tip and brought to the zoo in Logan, Utah. The Center acquired Chip in the fall of that same year. His call is a “killy-killy-killy” which is very distinctive. American Kestrels are very common in open country and are easily recognized by their distinctive tail bobbing while perched. Adopt Chip.
Jago is a captive-born male peregrine falcon. He came to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in 2006 as a two-year-old. Jago’s original “owner” trained him for the sport of falconry, but it became clear that Jago was having trouble with the stamina needed to attain the speed and altitude needed to dive for prey. After numerous veterinary examinations and a stay at Washington State University’s Veterinary Hospital, it was determined that Jago has some form of a congenital defect in his heart or respiratory system that will never allow him to fly normally. Adopt Jago.
Nahani is a female rough-legged hawk who was hit by a car near Bozeman, Montana. The accident left Nahani with a shattered humerous in her left wing. This injury was so severe that Nahani was not able to fly. Nahani was transferred to the GWDC in 2001 and has adjusted well to captive life. Adopt Nahani.
Acadia is a northern saw-whet owl. These little owls usually eat deer mice, but will also eat other rodents, sometimes insects and the occasional small bird. Averaging only 7″ to 8″ tall, a small bird like Acadia can often get two meals out of one mouse.
She was removed from the wild when she was discovered near Bozeman, Montana lodged in a bike rack after being hit by a car. Now blind in one eye, she is unable to hunt and survive in the wild. Adopt Acadia.
Josh is an eight-year-old male Bald Eagle. He was brought to the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota in 2006. Josh was shot in the left wing resulting in badly fractured bones and the presence of lead particles in his wing. Unfortunately, the wing needed to be amputated at the wrist. He was named after an Army Veteran who served in Iraq. Josh and the other birds-of-prey at the Center are used for outreach programs and educational programs in an effort to generate better understanding and deeper appreciation of the species. Adopt Josh.
Twelve-year-old bald eagle Zack has a similar story to Josh. He was found in the wild and brought to the Dakota Zoo with a severely dislocated wing. His wing was set back in place but has never been strong enough for him to fly. Although, the details of how Zack’s injury occurred are unclear, the majority of accidents and mortality of eagles is caused by humans. In some areas, large birds of prey like eagles, obtain their food by scavenging along roadsides which causes some to be injured by passing vehicles. Adopt Zach.
Targhee, a male, arrived at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center March of 2013 because he sustained serious ligament damage from an unknown source in the wilds of Wyoming. This left him completely unable to fly and unable to survive in the wild.
Great horned owls are native to a variety of habitats from deserts and prairie to forests and cities. Their prey is just as diverse as their habitats. Diets may include everything from scorpions and armadillos to porcupines and frogs. Adopt Targhee.
When Lewis was a nestling he was brought to a rehabilitation center in Utah with fractures to some of his left wing bones. These bones had begun to heal out of place. As a result, Lewis’s wing does not work correctly and he cannot fly. Turkey vultures can easily be recognized in flight by the way they hold their wings. Their wings are held in an upward-pointing “V” shape, also known as a dihedral. Adopt Lewis.
In the wild Keek sustained injuries to her right wing from an unknown cause. Despite the best efforts of the rehabilitation clinic, the wound did not heal correctly and she is no longer able to fly or survive in the wild.
Not only can a rough-legged hawk see farther and in more detail than we can, they can see more colors as well! Rough-legged hawks see into the ultraviolet spectrum. This allows them to see mouse urine! Adopt Keek.