Almost one year ago, our first blog post detailing the history of a few CuriOdyssey animals was published.  All three of these animals were former pets and therefore, could not be released into the wild.  This post will discuss three more CuriOdyssey animals that are non-releasable for a different reason – “Solo” the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), “Pele” the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), and our golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) “Oro” and “Ishta” all sustained injuries in the wild that greatly reduced their chances for survival.

Solo arrived at CuriOdyssey in 1995.  She was found by a private citizen surviving on the ground with only half of her left wing and was brought to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum Rehabilitation Center.  They determined that her injury was the result of a car accident or power line.  Although her wing injury had healed on its own, she was still considered non-releasable because Solo had lost the ability to fly.  A flightless owl is one who will likely starve, because owls depend on silent flight to ambush their prey. Stepping on a bunch of sticks and leaves in the middle of the night is hardly sneaky.

Today, Solo is one of CuriOdyssey’s more beloved education animals.  During the last 21 years she has been used in countless programs on- and off-site.  Guests learn all about the role owls play in the ecosystem, their adaptations and wildlife rehabilitation.  Like most owls, her favorite food is mice.  Solo also get stuffed animals, which she stashes into the corners of her enclosure.

Editorial change: Pele, the red shouldered hawk, is no longer with us as of 8/14/2015. – CuriOdyssey

Another education bird that sustained severe injuries in the wild is Pele.  She was found in a private citizen’s backyard with eye wounds from chicken wire.  Pele was likely hunting the chickens when she came in contact with the coop.  She was brought to the Oakley Veterinary Medical Center and diagnosed with cornea scarring and cortical cataracts.  Pele was not considered a good candidate for surgery and came to CuriOdyssey in 2001.  In 2008, x-rays revealed that Pele had bullet fragments in her body.  These do not appear to cause her pain.  In 2010, Pele was diagnosed with arthritis, which she gets medication for everyday.

Despite such a string of bad luck, Pele lives comfortably at CuriOdyssey and continues to impress visitors with her natural and personal history.  Often confused with red-tailed hawks, Pele gives visitors the chance to see what red-shouldered hawks look like close-up.  When Pele isn’t educating visitors, she is enjoying cool showers on warm days and likes to eat rat.  Yum!

One of the most impressive raptors in North America is the golden eagle.  CuriOdyssey is fortunate enough to have two.  The male, Oro, arrived in 1998 from the California Foundation for Birds of Prey.  He was found by a private citizen with soft tissue damage to his chest muscles from barbed wire fencing.  In 2005, veterinarians found cancer growing on the tip of his right wing.  A portion of this wing was amputated to save his life.  Surgery was successful, although Oro can no longer fly.  The female, Ishta, arrived in 2000.  She had been hit by a car and suffered from internal injuries, a fractured beak and damage to her right eye.  After a slow recovery process at the same rehabilitation center as Oro, veterinarians found that Ishta has completely lost sight in injured eye and could not be released.  Her blind eye is not cloudy, but the pupil does not respond to light changes and remains dialated.

Oro and Ishta currently live together in CuriOdyssey’s Raptor Aviary.  Since 2011, they have produced four eggs!  Because CuriOdyssey does not have the special permits, space or resources to breed golden eagles, the eggs are pulled each year.  Visitors can observe our eagles maintaining their nest, eating and vocalizing everyday that CuriOdyssey is open — something that most people do not get to see in their lifetime!

[Post and photos by Rachael Rufino, Animal Keeper]