The Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI) rescue and care for wildlife that have been injured or orphaned. The focus is to rehabilitate and eventually release the animals back into the wild when they are ready. The staff have a deep understanding of breeds, species and ecosystems related to each animal. Through compassion, education and conservation, reintroduction is possible in almost every case they see.
Over the last two years a northern saw-whet owl has been taken under the institutes' wing. Named after a character in the popular Game of Thrones TV series, Tyrion Lannister was brought to the facility after he suffered burns to his wings and midsection as a result of flaring. Flaring is the release of gases into the air during natural gas operations.
"He came in, in July two years ago and we thought that he just needed one molt because he didn't have broken bones or anything like that just damage to the feathers. So we were thinking after that molt takes place he can fly, but he couldn't. Now he's gone through two molts and potentially even a third full molt and now he can fly, suddenly," explains Lisa Dahlseide, conservation biologist and education director for the CEI.
"We had just sort of given up thinking now he's a resident bird."
Dahlseide added that if a bird is unable to fly then they are unable to hunt making life in the wild a little grim and virtually impossible to survive. It is believed that Tyrion took flight around September 18. The institute has a recording device in the enclosure. The hope is now that he can fly, he can now take the next step and begin to hunt.
"We have a little birdseed and peanuts put on the ground because mice can come in here and we're hoping that they come and he can start catching," said Dahlseide. I suggested some pieces of cheese but these folks know what they are doing.
The northern saw-whet owl is the smallest owl species in North America. Once they have footage that he is able to hunt they will open the door and let him self-release. This will allow him to come and go comfortably. If all progresses well over the coming months, Tyrion will be released into the wilderness next spring.
There are other animals in the rehabilitation process at CEI including a moose named Emma, fawns, buffalo, and a great horned owl.
Well known sound designer of Game of Thrones, Paula Fairfield collected and used sounds from CEI. Some of the sounds were used for dragon noises in the popular show and were gathered from moose, buffalo and bears in the institute. She won her first Emmy in 2016 and recently won her second in 2019. The institute is proud to be a small part of the success she has received.
It will be a bittersweet moment when they see Tyrion reintroduced into the wild. Dahlseide said the name Tyrion Lannister suited the owl because in the conclusion of Game of Thrones Tyrion becomes the ruler of the seven kingdoms.
Even though Tyrion, the owl, is small he has certainly become the ruler around CEI. He has beat the prejudice of not being able to fly and his little personality is indeed that of a big one.
