SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Friday, December 23, 2011

Dakota Update

Dakota had lost more than 20 percent of his body weight and had to undergo a barrage of medical tests to evaluate his condition. Now back on solid foods, Dakota was ready to make his first public appearance, so greeting visitors is nothing new to the raptor who has served as an animal ambassador at the Wildlife In Need Center for many years. Dakota has educated more than 80,000 through his service.

However, Thursday's visit was a bit guarded as Dakota is still slowly recovering. Perched behind a glass display window, Dakota watched news media file through the center.

“He still has a journey ahead of him, not only physically, but mentally as well, before he’ll be prepared to return to work,” said Wildlife Education Coordinator and Dakota’s handler, Leslie Kiehl, "but for Dakota, it’s worth all the effort.”

Two Dousman teens will be in court Dec. 29 for a hearing. Both are charged with a felony count of burglary and misdemeanors for property damage. According to police reports, the two waited until WINC staff left for the day and climbed the center's fence. They pried open Dakota's cage and trapped the owl  in a towel. They took Dakota to a home in Dousman where he escaped.
A Facebook post led Sheriff's detectives to the teens who admitted to taking the bird.