In Memory: Otus the Eastern Screech Owl

We are heartbroken to share that Otus the eastern screech owl passed away this month. At 13 years old, Otus was one of Piedmont Wildlife Center's oldest raptor Ambassadors. Otus's expressiveness and big personality proved that amazing things do indeed come in small packages.

Otus was found in 2009 as a juvenile in Wilkes County, unable to fly after colliding with a window. Upon examination at Carolina Raptor Center, he was found to have a fractured left humerus that did not heal properly. His injury left him unable to fly, which meant he couldn't be released into the wild. Instead, he came to PWC in 2010, where he soon became one of our most beloved Ambassador Animals.

Otus went on countless school programs and outreach events during his time at PWC, including visits to the NC State Fair. Most people who have any connection with PWC met Otus at some point. He was absolutely a staff and volunteer favorite, and was the closest thing PWC has ever had to an "unofficial mascot"!

In the wild, eastern screech owls live to be about 8 or 10 years old, and many only live to be 2-5 years of age. In human care, that lifespan can be expanded to about 11 to 13 years. Otus lived exceptionally longer than he would have in the wild with his injuries - a testament to our Conservation Team and raptor volunteers' dedication to giving him (and all our Ambassador Animals) a healthy, enriched life.

Thank you to everyone who provided care for, sponsored, taught programs with, or just stopped to say hi to Otus over the last 13 years. We want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Emma Bogerd at Willow Creek Animal Hospital for providing care to Otus in his last moments. Dr. Bogerd had worked with Otus as one of our conservation interns in summer 2016. It brought our team great comfort to know that our little buddy had a friend with him at the end.

Whether you were here when he arrived in 2010, or just met him at a program this year, we would love to hear your favorite Otus memories in the comments below. If you feel moved to make a one-time or recurring donation in Otus's memory, you may do so at https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate.

Here's to Otus's legacy of wildlife education and conservation. Otie, we hope you're flying high in the sky and catching all the mice on the other side.

Introducing Pancake the Gray Squirrel!

You might say our newest Ambassador Animal is a little... squirrelly. Give a warm Piedmont welcome to Pancake the eastern gray squirrel!

Pancake arrived at PWC after being seized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission from someone who kept her as a pet illegally. Because she's spent her entire life with humans, she never learned how to be a wild squirrel and can't be safely released into the wild.

The eastern gray squirrel is the state mammal of North Carolina. They’re also the most commonly observed of our 5 tree squirrel species. These bold and clever rodents are equipped with teeth (incisors) that grow continuously their entire lives. They keep them in shape by chewing on hard objects such as tree branches. Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores who famously love tree nuts, and will cache them in preparation for winter. Many of these nuts are never recovered, resulting in successfully planted trees! This makes squirrels important seed dispersers in the wild.

Not only is it illegal to keep squirrels (and other native wildlife) without a permit - they don't make good pets! Even a relatively tame squirrel like Pancake can do serious damage to fingers, furniture, and anything else they decide to bite. Squirrels also have complex dietary, space, enrichment, and health needs that are very difficult to meet in a household setting.

Please, if you find an abandoned baby squirrel, reach out to a licensed rehabber who can give them the care they need to successfully return to the wild. While some animals can't be released due to injuries or other issues, we believe every healthy wild creature deserves a chance at a full, rich life in their natural habitat.

Remember: Piedmont Wildlife Center is an environmental education and conservation nonprofit. We are NOT equipped to accept, treat, offer advice on, transport, or raise injured or orphaned wildlife. If you are in the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill area and find a wild animal who needs help, please contact Our Wild Neighbors (919-428-0896) or one of these specialized organizations: Carolina Raptor Center, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, or NC State Turtle Rescue Team. You can find additional resources at Animal Help Now and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. It is illegal under North Carolina law to keep or attempt to raise wildlife without a permit.

In Memory: Bellatrix the Great-Horned Owl

Sad news always seems to come in threes. We're heartbroken to share that Bella the great-horned owl passed away earlier this month on May 10th, 2023.

Bellatrix (Bella) was found in January 2014 in New Ellenton, SC, by the side of a road with a broken wing, likely from colliding with a car. Her injuries were treated at Carolina Raptor Center, but because she never fully regained her ability to fly, she could not be released. Bella arrived at Piedmont Wildlife Center in September 2014. Over the next 8 years, she helped teach thousands of students and adults about the great-horned owl's importance in North Carolina, and inspired awe in everyone who looked into those big yellow eyes.

In 2019, we noticed a suspicious plaque growing on the roof of Bella’s mouth. She was examined by multiple avian and exotic vets over the next several years, and underwent a variety of treatments to try to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, these treatments failed and we were never able to get a concrete diagnosis. By Spring 2023, her plaque had begun to spread and required twice-weekly removal by our staff to help her breathe and eat properly. Rather than put Bella through this stress indefinitely, we decided it was in her best interest to euthanize her before her quality of life declined further.

Most of our Ambassador Animals, including Bella, came to us from wildlife rehabilitators and other rescues. (Note: Piedmont Wildlife Center focuses on education and conservation, and does NOT rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife.) Their life histories before receiving treatment are usually unknown, and some have long-term health issues. It's our responsibility to give these beings the highest quality of life possible, from the minute they enter our care to their very last day with us.

We're able to provide this level of care because of YOUR support. Whether you worked with Bella as a volunteer, donated to our Wildlife Ambassador fund, or met her at a program, thank you for helping us tell her story, care for her, and keep her life interesting to the very end. If you would like to make a gift in Bella's memory, you may do so at the link below or at https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate

In Memory: Pickles the Opossum

We are heartbroken to announce that Pickles, our younger female opossum, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 21st. In the wild, opossums only live about one year. While this is often the result of predators, they are also prone to health conditions that limit their lifespan.

Pickles came to PWC in August 2022 from Our Wild Neighbors. She immediately won over our staff and volunteers with her calm, gentle, and curious temperament. Even though she had a permanent injury to her paw, she was very active and enjoyed using her exercise wheel, taking walks outside in her harness, and climbing our staff to sit on their shoulders. (She was definitely a "shoulder opossum," and was known to grab staff members' shirts to "ask for" a ride!)

Pickles was also a wonderful ambassador for her species. Kids and adults who might have otherwise thought opossums are "dirty" or "scary" were charmed by her sweet demeanor and willingness to be pet. We're sure anyone who met Pickles walked away with a new appreciation for our misunderstood marsupial neighbors.

Even though she wasn't with us for very long, Pickles made a lasting impact on PWC, countless local elementary students, and our staff. We would love to hear your Pickles stories and see your photos of our sweet girl. If you would like to share, please e-mail conservation@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

If you feel moved to make a donation in Pickles' memory to offset the cost of her veterinary care, please visit https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate or click the button below.