Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center
Get a close-up look at some of nature's fiercest predators - owls, hawks, and eagles, and other wildlife of High Desert forests.
News about Our Spotted Owls
Oct. 27, 2011
Polka, the beloved Northern spotted owl at the High Desert Museum who was one of America’s only captive pair bred in efforts to save their threatened species, died today in his forest habitat exhibit here. He was 26.
Polka and his mate, Dot, who died last year, were in the media spotlight several times, particularly from 2003 to 2005, when their owlets were released into the wild, and in 2008, when their offspring went to a breeding center in British Columbia. They inspired millions of visitors at the Museum who watched them close-up at the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center.
Attention around them heightened whenever Dot laid eggs in her nest, with Polka exhibiting classic male-owl parenting behavior, guarding over the nest and bringing her meals of dead mice. It was remarkable because the pair were over age 20. Spotted owls typically do not live beyond 20 years in the wild. They live longer in captivity when they are safe from predators and receive excellent care.
Museum President Janeanne A. Upp said, “These owls were emblematic of the Museum’s work – offering rare, close-up, enriching and inspiring experiences that educate all ages about our region’s nature and culture. Polka, like his mate, Dot, will be missed.”
The Museum is working to bring another pair of Northern spotted owls to the exhibit and continue its efforts to breed them to bolster the species’ dwindling numbers.
Polka and Dot served important roles in helping the public to come face to face with a native owl species that has been controversial, yet is rarely seen. Efforts to protect the species had become heated when conservationists and loggers clashed over protecting the species’ habitat, old forests.
The Museum’s work with the pair also helped biologists understand more about the science of captive breeding and management of the threatened species.
Polka was found in 1986 as a chick by Eric Forsman, a biologist for the U.S. Forest Service, while studying Northern spotted owls in Corvallis. He brought the owl to the Museum in 2000. Polka could not be released to the wild because he was imprinted on humans. He was raised by people and never learned to hunt or escape predators in the wild.
Porcupines Thistle and Honeysuckle
Porcupines Thistle and Honeysuckle share a natural habitat exhibit. Their first daughter, Magnolia, is starring in educational programs in the Washington, D.C., area. Their ratest baby, named Tumbleweed by our members and visitors, appears in our educational and animal programs.
Other animals who await you at the center include Charisma and Kokanee the bald eagles, Nicholas the golden eagle, Daisy Mae the skunk, Luna the great horned owl and more.
Click to Adopt one of the Birds of Prey Center Animals
None of the animals cared for at the Museum can be released to the wild. Most of them were rescued after being injured. Many of the birds cannot fly due to their injuries. Other animals rely on us just to survive because they never learned how to hunt or avoid predators. When people take young animals from their parents, these animals become “imprinted” on humans and can no longer survive in the wild.
The Museum’s wildlife staff works with our animals daily to build their trust. Our animals’ habitats are designed to give them the space and environment they require. This is all a part of the Museum’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of animal care.
