Our Wildlife Education Ambassador

Wolf Hollow holds permits from US Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to keep a small number of un-releasable animals to take part in educational outreach programs. We currently have one resident bird.

Madrona – a female Red-tailed Hawk

Madrona arrived at Wolf Hollow in October 1998 after being hit by a truck on Highway 20 near Anacortes…her plumage told us that she was only a few months old. She had a break on her right wing which was too close to the shoulder joint to be surgically repaired, but our vet removed bone fragments to stabilize the injury and prevent further damage to tissue.  Sadly, it healed with impaired mobility in the shoulder joint, impeding her ability to fly and hunt in the wild.

Madrona retired from educational programs in 2024, but previously accompanied our Education Coordinator to give presentations about raptors, local wildlife, human impacts on wildlife and our work at Wolf Hollow. Even in retirement, our staff focuses on providing Madrona with daily enrichment stretching her body and mind with puzzles, enclosure/diet updates, and choice based training to reinforce natural behaviors.

It is sad that this beautiful bird cannot be flying free, but as a “wildlife ambassador” she has inspired many people to appreciate the beauty of wild creatures living around them. Seeing a wild hawk close enough to appreciate its beautiful feathers, sharp talons and hooked beak inspires awe and interest far more than any number of words or photos can.  She also tells a story of the results of human impact on wildlife, many of which are at risk of being badly injured by our cars, fences, power lines etc. and be unable to return to their life of flying free.