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Ohio Wildlife Center Animal Ambassador Barnaby Was Wise Old Owl

Ohio Wildlife Center’s oldest and most well-known ambassador, Barnaby the barn owl, passed away at 29 years-old on November 7, 2017.  In one of his last public outreach events, the 2017 WildNite for Wildlife, Barnaby solemnly greeted guests and auction bidders from his perch with his long-timer volunteer handler, Sue Anderson, by his side.     

They were partners at Ohio Wildlife Center in educating Ohioans about wildlife, raptors, and conservation for nearly three decades. He arrived at the Center in 1988, rescued from a nest that was destroyed when tree-cutters accidently cut part of his wing with a chainsaw. Unable to ever be released back to a wild habitat to live, Barnaby became one of the first permanent Animal Ambassadors dedicated to teaching and outreach.

At 29, he was believed to be one of the oldest barn owls in the world.  Barn owls in the wild typically live only two or three years, with nearly 75 percent not surviving their first year. Currently, barn owls are considered to be threatened in Ohio, with the highest concentrations in Ross and Holmes counties.

According to Anderson, Barnaby’s long life was possible with the care he received, protection from weather and predators and his affinity to being around people. Anderson has noted, “he really didn’t  know he was an owl. He thought he was a human.”

He was known to dislike clowns and balloons, he stomped his feet when he was hungry and enjoyed baths in a big bowl.  As an Animal Ambassador he traveled to hundreds of schools and was featured at a local summit on climate change and its effect on birds.  

To make a tribute gift honoring Barnaby and his long service in wildlife education awareness, go here.

 

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