Adventures With Mel & Syd: Lost and Found

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

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Lost and Found

This has been a story that the blog has been sitting on waiting for the happy ending.
It all started 3 weeks ago when Dakota, the educational ambassador Great Horned Owl from the Oconomowoc Wildlife In Need Center in Wisconsin was stolen out of his locked inclosure by two teens who later posted the GHO’s picture onto their facebook page.
The teens broke into Dakota's cage, wrapped him in a sweatshirt, showed him to friends, and posed with the big bird for a photo posted on Facebook. The boys say Dakota flew away when they were at a friend's house in Dousman, and hasn't been seen since.
Dakota is 11 years old, and has always lived in captivity. Handlers say he could not survive in the wild on his own.

“ If there has been any upside to this sad situation, it has been the constant stream of caring we have been blessed with. We are humbled by the generosity of spirit the community has for Dakota, and overwhelmed by how he continues to educate, even during this current situation”

It has finally ended for his handlers and for Dakota the GHO.
The owl was rescued by staff about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday from a deck in Waukesha County. He has returned home.
Dakota got medical treatment when he returned to the center. He's very thin and dehydrated. He is also quite weak as evidenced by both his physical condition as well as his observed behavior since first sighted Wednesday morning.

Right now, Dakota is being kept quiet, resting and recuperating from his over 3 week ordeal. Dakota’s Veterinarian will be completing a thorough examination later Wednesday.
It is the greatest news I could hear today that Dakota has been found! A celebration of some kind is truly needed!!!! My prayers and everyone else's has been answered! Welcome home sweet Dakota!
The two teens have been charged in the case.