29-04-2025
Auburn University Raptor Center's foster parents helping orphaned Owls return to wild
AUBURN, Ala. — At Auburn University's Raptor Center, the work of saving injured and orphaned birds of prey often relies on some very special members of the team: their full-time, non-releasable foster raptors.
Among them is Echo, a Great Horned Owl who has lived at the center for 20 years after suffering a wing injury that made her unable to survive in the wild. Echo now serves as a foster parent to orphaned owlets brought into the center's rehabilitation clinic — an effort that dramatically increases the birds' chances of a successful release.
'Here at the rehabilitation clinic, we have full-time fosters that are non-releasable residents,' said Dr. Robyn Miller, Director of the Auburn University Raptor Center. 'These fosters are wild birds that are able to raise orphans brought into our hospital, allowing them to imprint on their own kind and therefore increasing the likelihood of a successful release.'
Echo is a standout foster, fiercely defensive towards humans — exactly the behavior experts hope young raptors will learn.
'She teaches them to be defensive around humans. She preens them, she feeds them, and she is always quick to take these fosters in as her own,' Dr. Miller explained. 'Echo is spicy, she's fiercely independent, and she's the boss of this rehabilitation clinic in many respects.'
Because human interaction can be harmful to the rehabilitation process, staff monitor Echo and her companion, Sam — another non-releasable Great Horned Owl — mainly through closed-circuit surveillance cameras. WRBL was provided special remote footage to share with viewers, honoring the center's mission to minimize human presence around the young owlets.
Sam, who arrived about a year ago after suffering a broken wing, is more protective than nurturing but plays a vital role in modeling survival behaviors for the young birds.
'Our goal is to have fosters that can support any incoming patient that comes through,' Miller said. 'Red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and screech owls also serve as foster parents at the center, helping to prepare orphaned wildlife for life back in the wild.'
Stephanie Kadletz, Assistant Director of Raptor Rehabilitation, emphasized the importance of responsible wildlife rescue.
'Oftentimes when a young raptor is seen on the ground, it's simply exploring, with a parent nearby keeping watch,' she said. 'Because raptors have such strong talons, they can often climb back into their nests even if they cannot fly. Before you intervene, it's critical to be sure the bird truly needs help.'
Outdoor Alabama maintains a list of licensed rehabilitators across the state for those who encounter wildlife in distress. Kadletz urged the public never to offer food or water to wild birds, which could lead to harmful human imprinting — something best left to seasoned foster parents like Echo.
Dr. Amberley Sokoloff, veterinarian at the AU Raptor Center, captured the spirit of the mission simply.
'What does it feel like to have a successful release into the wild?' she said. 'There's nothing better in the world.'
'It's truly amazing to get these animals back into the wild where they belong,' added Kadletz.
Currently, Echo and Sam are caring for six young Great Horned Owls — many of which arrived after falling from nests and sustaining injuries. Thanks to their wild foster parents, these owlets are well on their way to one day soaring free.
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