AVONDALE, Arizona – It’s been almost two years since Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) created a new home for a couple of burrowing owls found during pre-construction excavation. And now that the “couple” have successfully adopted to their fabricated home, they will soon welcome two new owl families into their neighborhood.
On Monday, March 9, EMCC students from Biology classes and the Sustainability Club, joined by a few faculty and staff, will be building large tents over two burrows that were constructed several months ago in preparation. After the tents have been secured, two families of burrowing owls will be released and introduced to their new home by the experts of Wild at Heart.
Wild at Heart, a local wildlife rescue agency, who has been partnering with EMCC since the beginning of this project in Summer 2012, will again be participating and directing the release. The organization has helped transform burrowing owl conservation in Arizona through innovative procedures for rescuing and relocating colonies threatened by development.
When first called, Wild at Heart helped EMCC explore the possibilities for relocation of EMCC’s owls and determined the campus would be a good candidate for what is called “passive relocation.” This is where humans intervene by creating emergency burrows and the birds take to them passively, vs. forced relocation. The birds are then safely captured and physically relocated to their new home.
Construction of the tents will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, and is expected to be complete by 12:30 p.m. Then, Wild at Heart will release the owls between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. The tents will remain over the burrows for one month and then will be disassembled on April 13, at which time, the owls should have adapted to their new home.