The Wildlife Center is deeply saddened to announce the death of Grayson the Broad-winged Hawk on January 17, 2021. Sadly, an unknown predator was able to access her enclosure through a double-door system. Grayson was 10 years old.
Grayson was admitted as a young bird in June 2010. She had fallen out of the nest in Grayson County, Virginia and suffered a fractured right humerus, as well as an injury to her patagium – the skin covering the leading edge of the wing. Wildlife Center veterinarians sutured the hole in the patagium and bandaged her wing; however, the fracture did not heal completely straight, and scarring on the patagium left Grayson unable to fully extend her wing, making her non-releasable.
In her decade as an education ambassador, Grayson appeared in more than 1,000 programs and met approximately 60,000 people. She traveled to elementary schools, libraries, the state fair, festivals, and the Center’s annual gala, helping the Center outreach team share the Center’s mission.
While she was small in size and somewhat reserved, her quiet demeanor and piercing gaze left an impression on her audience. Grayson was an easy-going bird and remarkably patient with her human handlers; she was often the first bird that new staff members and trained outreach volunteer docents handled. She most recently helped us train Aaron, the Center’s communications coordinator.
Like all of our ambassadors, Grayson was unable to travel to programs for most of 2020 since in-person programs ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the outreach team was able to work more closely with Grayson every day and greatly enjoyed these interactions.
Rest in peace, little friend, your time with us was too short. Your friends and family will greatly miss you.