Several weeks ago, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize our resident barred owl, Vara. This decision came about due to an overall decline in her quality of life. Although Vara did not travel for ambassador programs, she could be seen outside during cool summer evenings, her favorite time of day. She was loved by many and will be missed greatly.
Vara came to us in March 2017 through the Wildlife Medical Clinic. She was found in Tuscola, Illinois, unable to fly. After medical tests, it was determined that she had an old fracture near the shoulder. Due to the proximity to the joint and the age of the injury, she was not a candidate for surgery. She was sent to a local raptor facility to be flight tested, as she appeared to be non-painful and otherwise healthy. Vara was returned after being deemed non-flighted and therefore non-releasable.
Due to her unusually calm and docile personality, we brought Vara into the ambassador program, where she served to educate members of the public on owl behavior and wildlife conservation in general. She got her name from the scientific name of barred owl, Strix varia. As our only resident owl for many years, she was adored by the public and contributed to the public’s education by “donating” owl pellets for people to dissect through the Wildlife Medical Clinic’s owl pellet kits. If you had owl pellets over the last few years, there is a good chance that you were combing through Vara’s dinner!
Her small team of trainers were committed to ensuring that she always felt comfortable and secure. While she chose only a few people to build closer relationships with, she was still a loved ambassador by the entire team. One of the best relationships she had was with Jacob Dalen, a previous ambassador care coordinator, who trained with her regularly during his time in the program. Vara and Jacob were the best of friends and had a tight bond.
Vara was the best listener and would always be invested in what she was being talked to about, whether it was about what our volunteers were studying or about their day. Vara had her own routine and her favorite dinner spot inside where she liked to hang out. She loved to perch in one of the boxes outside and look out at visitors from her second favorite spot. Vara was a dignified owl who made a lasting impression on all who worked with her. We hold a special place in our hearts and memories for her.
As she grew older, Vara’s behavior changed and indicated that her wing injury had become painful. Despite our best efforts, we could not manage the pain associated with this injury. She chronically overgroomed that wing to the point that it prevented her from flying. Because of this, we saw increased anxiety in her and a cumulative decline in her quality of life. After close monitoring and many discussions, the WMC faculty, staff, and ambassador coordinators made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Vara. She will be greatly missed by the Ambassador team and all that knew her.
Written By: Current Wildlife Ambassador Coordinators, Lydia, Roxanne, Christie, and Kat.
