MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Ohio Bird Sanctuary will host an open house on Saturday, Sept. 19 to showcase their newly remodeled education center, reveal the gender of Seymour the owl, and allow visitors a chance to greet a few of the facility’s avian ambassadors and enjoy refreshments.
The new education center was originally a dining hall for the Boy Scouts’ Camp Avery Hand. The building and 90 acres were purchased by the Ohio Bird Sanctuary (OBS) when the camp closed, said Executive Director Gail Laux.
“The building was previously used seasonally by OBS for our summer camp program,” she explained. “The building was not heated and did not have suitable restroom facilities.”
The recent renovations included an upgrade of the electrical systems, installation of new restroom facilities, plumbing, and a food staging area for catering. Heat and air conditioning were also added.
“The building will now be used year-round for OBS educational activities and is available for rent,” said Laux.
Seymour the Great Horned Owl
Entries are still being accepted to guess the gender of Seymour, the great horned owl, at a cost of $5 per guess.
“The contest to guess Seymour, the great horned owl’s gender was initiated through a debate between staff,” explained Laux. “Seymour came to OBS as a 14-day-old injured owlet. Male and female plumage is identical. The only difference is size; females are larger.”
Seymour was named before he/she was fully grown. Laux explained that Seymour is large for a male yet small for a female.
“Hull Veterinary (who provides OBS with all its veterinary needs) drew blood and has determined the owl’s gender,” said Laux. “The envelope is sealed at their office.”
The gender will be revealed during the open house event. “Once sex is determined,” said Laux, “a name will be drawn from the correct guess.”
The prize is 50 percent of the money raised, and the remainder will help build a new display cage.
For more information, visit the Facebook page or the website.
