Our New Snowy Owl

We didn't want to risk transporting this beauty from the rehabilitation facility in Indiana to our facility in Brighton, via two flights, so two of REF's directors undertook a marathon drive to meet the rehabilitator in Davenport, Iowa and pick up our new snowy owl. Thanks to our Seattle member, Susan Anstine, who made arrangements with her friends, Ginny Dignoti and Tom Cooper to host us for an overnight stay in Omaha, Nebraska. After an eight-hour drive from Denver, Tom and Ginny provided our crew five-star accommodations and dining both coming and going to pick up the big white owl. We are forever grateful for their hospitality and splendid cuisine!
When we arrived back to Brighton Friday evening, we removed the aluminum band the snowy was wearing when he was originally trapped at an airport in Ontario, Canada, back in December 2013. And yes, the band and disposition of the bird was reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory! We trimmed his talons and beak, and placed anklets and jesses on him so he can begin his training as one of our educational ambassadors. In this video, Anne Price, REF's Curator is shown working on the owl and gearing him up, and eventually standing on her gloved hand, taking in his new surroundings. We're going to take it slowly now, and let him go at his own pace. Stay tuned for more updates!
For more on our most recent acquisition, please visit:www.usaref.org/snowy-owl-proj...