Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Welcomes New Resident
By Denise Rivette
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (YWS) announced in a press release that it is proud to announce a new resident to the community. In mid-January, the YWS Animal Care team completed an overnight drive from Oregon to bring him home to Red Lodge.
“It is our pleasure to announce the arrival of Dave, a Great Horned Owl, as our newest resident,” shared BR Walker, Executive Director of Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. “Dave came to us from Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, the Official Interpretive Center for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.”
“Dave! He is Dave!” squealed Beau Bergman when he first viewed the Great Horned Owl. Beau is the six-year-old son of son of Catherine and Sam Bergman of Billings. He attends Trinity Lutheran School in Billings. He was invited to the Sanctuary with his parents and grandparents for the naming event. His grandparents had participated in the Wild of Wonder dinner and auction held by YWS in 2023. They won the right to name the next new resident at the Sanctuary.
Dave was found on the ground as a youngster and taken to a rehabilitation facility where it was determined he was non-releasable due to vision issues in both eyes. In 2012, he was transferred to Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, where over time he seemed to regain most of his vision. At this point, despite his improved vision, he is not a candidate for release due to his habituation and comfort with human interaction.
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary reports that it has been looking for a Great Horned Owl since Captain, a long-time resident of the Sanctuary, died last year, leaving Bobby, his companion, alone. Izzy Sommerdorf, Animal Care Manager at YWS is excited by the successful introduction of these owls as it provides both birds with the benefits of companionship. Sommerdorf relayed the experience of retrieving the owl from Oregon, “Dave was a very good traveling companion during the trip, despite the 12-hour drive. He showed a great deal of comfort with the situation by eating within six hours of arriving in Red Lodge.”
Dave’s age is unknown which is typical for mature rehabilitated birds, as aging them once they have developed their adult plumage can be tricky. The typical lifespan for a Great Horned Owl under human care is 20 to 30 years.
Dave has settled into his new mew and sun yard. He has been successfully introduced to Bobby and is now at home at YWS. His transfer went exceptionally well with the new resident quickly taking to his surroundings, food, and near-neighbor owls. “We heard him hooting at another owl the first few nights. He seemed comfortable immediately on arrival,” said Walker. Dave enjoys shredding paper enrichment and eating his dinner.
You can visit Dave and all the residents of YWS year round at the Sanctuary located at 615 Second Street East in Red Lodge.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable greater Yellowstone ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of conservation and education. The Sanctuary provides safe, comfortable homes and long, fulfilling lives to animals whose only other option was euthanasia. You can support YWS, get more information or schedule a tour at www.YellowstoneWildlifeSanctuary.org.