| My First Raptor Release By Kyla Tucker |
I've been a volunteer at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center since July of 2006.
Recently I had the privilege of releasing a Great Horned Owl back into the wild. GHOW
#150-06 was found in Billings in December 2006. After a thorough examination and
x-rays, it was determined the bird had bruising on his patagium and elbow. It's impossible
to know how the injury occurred, but most likely the owl was hit by a car while feeding
near the highway.
After nearly a month in rehab, the bird was ready for release. On January 23, 2007, we
banded the owl and placed him in a carrier for transport to the release site. Once we
found the right spot for release, I opened the carrier and tilted it upright so the owl could
see out. When he hesitated I wasn't sure he was going to fly away. But once he got a
good look at his surroundings, he quickly flew out of the carrier (startling me for a
second) and perched on a nearby cottonwood branch. After we were sure he was
comfortable with his new surroundings, we drove away slowly.
There is something to be said about the rushed feelings of sheer delight that one feels
when releasing an animal back into the wild. Simply seeing a bird of prey fly away free
and healthy is the best reward of all.
Recently I had the privilege of releasing a Great Horned Owl back into the wild. GHOW
#150-06 was found in Billings in December 2006. After a thorough examination and
x-rays, it was determined the bird had bruising on his patagium and elbow. It's impossible
to know how the injury occurred, but most likely the owl was hit by a car while feeding
near the highway.
After nearly a month in rehab, the bird was ready for release. On January 23, 2007, we
banded the owl and placed him in a carrier for transport to the release site. Once we
found the right spot for release, I opened the carrier and tilted it upright so the owl could
see out. When he hesitated I wasn't sure he was going to fly away. But once he got a
good look at his surroundings, he quickly flew out of the carrier (startling me for a
second) and perched on a nearby cottonwood branch. After we were sure he was
comfortable with his new surroundings, we drove away slowly.
There is something to be said about the rushed feelings of sheer delight that one feels
when releasing an animal back into the wild. Simply seeing a bird of prey fly away free
and healthy is the best reward of all.
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