It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Electra the Osprey. Electra had been at NMWC since 2006 when she was admitted to our wildlife hospital after suffering from second-degree burns and electrocution. The nest she was in was on top of a power pole and when a stick fell from the nest, it sparked a fire. After spending some time recovering in the wildlife hospital, she was added to the Ambassador Animal team in 2007. Since then, she helped us educate the public about osprey conservation.

• “Almost every time I did a transport over from Taos, I went up and had a chat with Electra.  She was so curious, vocal, and engaging.  Such a beautiful girl.  She touched so many lives, including mine.” – T Wright, Volunteer Transporter
• “To me, Electra was a queen. She looked regal sitting up on her platform in her characteristic necklace, lifting her wings to fly to her lower perch for a piece of fish. Sometimes it took her a few trial flaps to build up her courage to take off. I felt like she recognized me as I walked towards her enclosure, calling out to greet me in her characteristic squawk hoping for a food treat. She was never one to be ignored even though she lived the farthest from the food room. Her story captivated many visitors as one of survival from circumstances beyond her control, the only chick to live following an electric fire which burned her nest. She taught us why we should respect our lakes and rivers, protecting them from fishing line, lead weights, and trash. Whenever I hear a wild osprey, I will remember our queen.” – Ann Sherman, Volunteer
• “Electra was a very expressive bird.  Even when she loudly vocalized when I entered the mew, she would then look at me sideways  with those yellow eyes – seemingly assessing whether I was a danger, or bringer of food.  Almost without fail she would choose the later and position herself facing me.  As her ability to jump began to wane, it was my job to present the glove quickly and closely enough so she could succeed.  Once on the glove she would flap her wings with surprising strength, and then settle in to be fed-on-glove a portion of her food.  Her intense eyes and loud vocalizations will stay with me always.  She was a force of nature … to the very end.” – Susan Coulter, Volunteer
• “When I first started on NMWC, Electra was the first to strike up a conversation with me, of course she always had something to say.  Our favorite part together was when I would pick her up on my glove and the flapping would stop, her talking would stop and we’d just hang out being quiet together.   Sometimes amongst friends, words aren’t needed.” – Chad Lauritzen, Volunteer
• “Electra was the first animal I heard when starting to work at NMWC.  She reminded me of the osprey I would always see along the rivers near my home in California.  Was such a nice call to hear to bring me back home after moving the farthest away I ever had in my life.” – Shawna Protze, Curator of Animals and Education Programs
• “Electra’s striking features and loud verbal persistence, made her a powerful presence in our ambassador line up.  But at the same time she could be quirky and silly which made her very lovable.  I will dearly miss her voice and unforgettable character.” – Karen Garcia, Board Member
• “I’ve got many fond and crazy memories of working with that bird. I trained that bird some 15 years ago, and believe it or not she was great on the fist and seemed to relish being around people. That was not the usual for Ospreys. She was a special bird, in more ways than one.” Scott Bol, Volunteer
• “She had quite the personality and will be greatly missed.” -Sally Kruse, Volunteer