January 6, 2025 8:22 p.m.:  Big Bad “Wolfie” Wolf’s Passing

With great sadness, tonight I write to tell you of the passing of avian ambassador the Big Bad Wolf, better known as Wolf. Wolf came to us from the Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc, which is based in Louisville. She arrived on August 23, 2013, as an adult bird. Her actual age is unknown. We took care of Wolfie for 11 years and 4 months, and she presented programs for the BHRC for most of that time. She presented 585 programs in her career. She began to have balance issues, and we retired her in early May 2023.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers Thawney, Will, Jay, and Anna, Wolfie got her own retirement mew in the back yard. She was able to be free lofted (untethered) for the final months of her life.

The quality of her life began a very steady decline about a month ago. I talked to Dr. Peg our vet on December 31st and shared a video with her showing her Wolf’s mannerisms and posture, and she agreed that the time had come. We humanely euthanized this wonderful bird. She slipped away at twilight, the time of day when owls go on the first hunt of the evening. I hope that it made her first hunt in the next world of owls a better hunt.

Thank you Wolf, for giving so much of yourself to help people learn about owls, and specifically screech owls.