Get Up Close and Personal
With Some of Nature's Best Teachers

Meet our Live Birds

Great Horned Owl

A local wildlife rehabilitator received a Great Horned Owl from around Grand Marais for rehabilitation. He was sent to the Raptor Center for medical attention. Having visual defects in both eyes, he was returned to Wolf Ridge’s education program in August 6, 2004.

Saw-whet Owl

In 2003, our female Saw-whet Owl was found in a St. Paul alleyway and taken to the Raptor Center. Due to unknown causes, she had damaged her left eye. She came to Wolf Ridge in January 2004 since she cannot survive in the wild. She is named Acadia because "Acadia" is an old name for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where these birds were first spotted.

Buff Orpington Chickens

Elcie and Eloise arrived June 1st, 2008 when they were one day old.  Buff Orpingtons are bred to lay eggs and are known to be very gentle birds.  They help here by teaching students about bird characteristics, predator/prey interactions, and the difference between wild animals and domesticated ones.

Where do they live?

All of our live education animals are housed in or near the Science Center. Both owls are native to Minnesota, and live year 'round in their mews, or homes. Each mew is customized with branches of varying sizes for perches and a nesting cavity which can be heated on very cold nights. They also spend time each week outdoors in our "weathering yard." The chickens need more constant warmth and live inside. When not in their house, they can be found wandering the building, looking for fun and company.