“Happy early 9th birthday, Kate!” were the words she heard that sunny Thursday afternoon when third grader Kate Conroy ran up the sidewalk at the neighborhood bird sanctuary in Webster Groves.
Her parents brought her there to meet me for a raptor bird release. The little red screech owl, who had suffered left eye damage (and eventual blindness in that eye) was finally well enough to go back to the “wild”, or at least as close as it gets in Webster Groves.
He was found on the side of the road in Gasconade County by a conservation agent (possible collision with an automobile). He spent a couple of weeks in treatment, then had a trial outside in a flight cage, but did not fly very well, probably due to some unresolved swelling. More medication and time was necessary. About four weeks after his admission, he was taking to the air beautifully in the outdoor cage! My supervisor, Joe Hoffman, then gave permission to release him to a suitable place. Though he had vision in just the right eye, it would be adequate for his needs – flying, hunting and other owl activities. Since I knew Kate was an animal enthusiast, and she was about to turn a year older (on May 5th), I rang her mom, Peggy, who seemed even more excited than her daughter.
When we met after dinner (preferred time of day to release this little nocturnal hunter), her father Tony, with camera in hand, shot the whole story for us. Never once did Kate appear anxious to handle this normally aggressive creature. In fact, I believe her calm voice and manner convinced “Bob” (of course she named him!) that Kate was there to help.
After all questions were answered and instructions given, Kate gently took the owl from me for just a few precious seconds. Then, off he went, smoothly landing in the finest tree in the sanctuary! Kate watched him for a time, somehow connecting him to her heart from below on the ground.
Though he was soon busy preening to prepare for the evening, he looked down at Kate a couple of times, as if to say “Thank you, for sending me back. Maybe you will see me again sometime.”
You, too, could be the proud sponsor of a "Back to the Wild" bird release. For more information call 636-225-4390, Ext. 102
Way to go Kate!! I am not surprised you had a calming effect on Bob! Animals can tell when they are with a true animal lover. We are very proud of you!
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