At Gold Country Wildlife we work hard to keep wildlife wild. Rescuers who wait days, weeks, or even months before surrendering wildlife to our facility often cause malnutrition, dehydration, disease, and/or behavioral issues for wildlife. Here is one story of Bella, a Great Horned owl, that lost her “wild” but was still able to find a purpose.
Great Horned owls (Bubo virginianus) are one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. Bella, was kidnapped as a fledgling by folks who thought she might make a good pet (keeping wildlife in your home is both unsafe and illegal in California and many other states). After she began to become wilder and larger, the folks determined they could not keep her and she was surrendered to a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Rehabilitators worked with Bella to make her ready for release back in the wild. She was released several times but kept coming back to her handler. It was then determined that the imprinting she experienced early in her life prevented her from being wild. Great Horned Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, mice, owls, and other raptors. However, Bella had lost the “edge” she needed to be able to hunt and defend herself in the wild. In 2009, at only 6 months of age, Bella came to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue to become an Education Ambassador.
She was a favorite in her presentations in classrooms and community events as she came across with an easygoing demeanor making her look like everyone’s friend. But don’t be fooled…she was a wild owl and had to be handled carefully.
Every year Bella played “foster mom” to our rescued Great Horned owl babies. Great Horned owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. She helped them learn to be owls before their own successful releases. However, she was very happy when they left her mew so that she could have some time to herself again.
Bella passed away in 2020 due to the West Nile virus but lived a long, happy, and productive life. Many stories of imprinted or habituated wildlife don’t turn out this way. In many instances, animals that have been habituated to humans can become “nuisance animals” and may require euthanasia. At Gold Country Wildlife Rescue, euthanasia is a last resort and we work tirelessly to protect every animal that comes to our facility. We work to keep wildlife wild so they can flourish once they are released.
Your donation goes a long way to helping our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Help today by donating to KEEP THEM WILD and make a lasting impact in the lives of hundreds of wildlife in our care!
