NWDC Releases Four Great Horned Owls Back Into the Wild

There’s nothing quite like witnessing a wild animal return to its rightful home. Even more powerful is the chance to be a part of that journey. Four fortunate community members had the opportunity to do just that at our wild owl release on Monday, October 7, 2024. For local owl enthusiast Olivia Abeyta-Maestas, who had donned an owl-themed hat for the evening, it was an unforgettable moment.

“I was selected at random to release this amazing creature back into the wild. The experience of watching this event alone is captivating, but to partake in releasing the owls is unlike any other. For a moment the world was silent, and still. It’s just the two of you sharing the same light. I HIGHLY recommend following the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center to join in on the next rapture release. I promise you won’t be disappointed.” – Olivia

The evening began with NWDC staff, volunteers, and members of the Pueblo community gathering at the Raptor Center. The group formed a caravan and traveled west to the Lake Pueblo State Wildlife Area as golden hour slowly faded into twilight. This location is also where NWDC released four Great Horned Owls in September 2023. This year, it once again became the stage for some extraordinary moments of nature connection.

We were lucky enough to release four Great Horned Owls this year, too. Participants for the releases were selected through a random drawing. Our Raptor Center Director, Diana Miller, shared the heartwarming recovery stories of each owl before guiding each lucky participant in putting on gloves, carefully holding their new feathery friend, and finally tossing it into the open sky. In addition to Olivia, three other people took part in the releases, including long-time NWDC participant Christian, who has returned year after year for our summertime Raptor Camp. The scene was nothing short of magical: fluffy white clouds scattered across a hazy sky of blue and gold, creating the perfect backdrop for a night of community, nature, and renewal.

All four Great Horned Owls had been brought to the Raptor Center with various injuries or illnesses, where they were cared for by our dedicated staff and volunteers. Watching them take flight again was a deeply emotional experience. As each owl spread its wings and soared into freedom, the crowd erupted in applause, and smiles radiated through the gathering. Moments like these remind us of our purpose. At these full-circle “mission moments,” NWDC feels especially grateful for the support of our community, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and our partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.