Death is always the last thing for organisms on this planet. But this darkening season in this particular year it can seem to dominate. A brother-in-law died of covid in a nursing home. The dear friend who played piano at our wedding over 40 years ago just lost his wife of decades. And one of the finest creatures I have ever met is not likely to live much longer. It is Shadow, a beloved and admired resident of Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek. She is a venerable Great Gray Owl. When I was working on my GGO book a few years back she was the only GGO I could find in captivity in the whole state of California. Since then I have returned to Lindsay to talk of Shadow and her kind. Here is message I just got from Chris Beard who works at the Lindsay:
Shadow — A Long Life Coming to an End |
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From Emma Molinare, Curator of Animal Encounters: I regret to inform you all that Shadow, LWE’s iconic and beloved Great Gray Owl, is nearing her final days. In recent weeks, we have noticed Shadow’s quality of life decline. The animal care team has made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Shadow this week. Shadow has cancer and has endured many medical difficulties in the last few years. She has cataracts, a managed balance condition (similar to vertigo), and weakness in her legs. The skill, love, and dedication of the animal care team provided Shadow with a gentle extra year of life. A quiet exhibit hall and time in a new aviary ensured that Shadow’s 2020 was peaceful. I know 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us. For many of us, news of Shadow’s condition will feel like losing a longtime friend. ![]() Shadow graced our exhibit hall when we were known as Lindsay Wildlife Museum. She captivated everyone who walked through the door. She was a crowd favorite whose focused yellow eyes would track your every move. If you stopped below her house, this regal ambassador of the tallest owl species in North America would turn to look right at you, even following you as you moved. But if you picked up your camera to take a picture, this cheeky bird would turn her head away. ![]() In much of 2020, the sounds of screaming children, crying babies, and those prying cameras were absent from exhibit hall. Shadow got to enjoy a period of calm, quietude, and outdoor adventure. For the first time, we were able to regularly remove her custom falconry equipment and provide her with the opportunity to explore outdoors in an aviary. Camera recordings captured her bathing, jumping, and running around her new space. Over these past few weeks, mobility has been difficult for Shadow and she is unable to safely participate in the tasks she once enjoyed. It is with a heavy heart that the Animal Encounters animal care team decided that it was time. ![]() |
There are three past blogs that include images of Shadow during the few moments we were together.
Here is my blog when I first met her on the arm of a museum staffer as I was researching the book. I was espcially interested jn a close look on those sharp but only inch-long talons.
Then a friend with a camera captured some Shadowy moments as we faced the audience together.
Click for link to Lindsay Museum website. They do great conservation and education work.
What a grand tribute for this beautiful owl. It is difficult to see any wildlife comming to its end. Job well done to those who provided care to
Shadow. Thank you for keeping us informed.
By: Mel Clements on December 8, 2020
at 3:58 pm