An example of a weathering enclosure.
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Beaver Meadow Nature Center is home to one adorable resident Eastern Screech Owl, named Zelda, who not only helps educate our community as an ambassador for her species but also helps spread the message of conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife and wild places.
Why do we have Zelda? Zelda suffered a severe eye injury as a young owl. She was found by a Good Samaritan and taken to the Erie County SPCA for veterinary care where it was determined that due to the loss of her eye, Zelda was not able to be safely released back into the wild. The veterinarians also suggested that despite her vision loss she would have the adaptability to live in captivity. So, began Zelda's journey as an educational ambassador for Beaver Meadow Nature Center! Though she lives in human care, Zelda is still wild. When we took her under our wings as a resident, we became responsible for her well-being, including her physical and mental health. One of the most important ways we provide and maintain a high standard of care for Zelda is through enrichment activities. Enrichment is essential for any animal kept in human care like our wild residents, and even for your own pets. Enrichment can come in many forms, but its purpose in the most basic form is to provide animals the opportunity to exhibit their natural behaviors. The mental, emotional, and physical health of our educational animals is a primary focus for our staff and volunteers and is especially important for our educational bird program. We have asked Zelda to spend her time in an unnatural way: inside enclosures, on perches or gloved hand, close to humans and sometimes in front of large crowds. It is our duty as her caretaker to ensure that she is given every opportunity to choose to engage with humans, their environment, and their enrichment items in ways that provide a positive and holistic life for her. Giving Tuesday is celebrated globally on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday kicks off charitable giving season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. It's a great way to give support and thanks while celebrating the power of giving. |
Funds Raised during Giving Tuesday will help ensure that we can share Zelda with the public in an enriched outdoor space that will enhance her natural behaviors and increase her physical and mental well-being.
Your donations will help us build a new weathering enclosure which will offer Zelda a room with a view, new sights and sounds and a space to free loft or fly outside in open air. Having a more spacious enclosure will allow her the opportunity to make choices and will provide a more stimulating environment overall, all while keeping her safe and secure from predators.
Ambient enrichment is enrichment that takes place on its own without being planned. It just happens. In the wild, owls have many options during the day.
Do you want to help with our efforts to keep our animal ambassadors engaged and enriched? Consider donating to Buffalo Audubon this Giving Tuesday, where your donation will go a long way. Thank you!
Your donations will help us build a new weathering enclosure which will offer Zelda a room with a view, new sights and sounds and a space to free loft or fly outside in open air. Having a more spacious enclosure will allow her the opportunity to make choices and will provide a more stimulating environment overall, all while keeping her safe and secure from predators.
Ambient enrichment is enrichment that takes place on its own without being planned. It just happens. In the wild, owls have many options during the day.
Do you want to help with our efforts to keep our animal ambassadors engaged and enriched? Consider donating to Buffalo Audubon this Giving Tuesday, where your donation will go a long way. Thank you!