It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Cibola, the Northern Goshawk.
Cibola was a long time Ambassador at NMWC. She arrived at our hospital in 2010 as a juvenile after sustaining a fracture of the right humerus. The injury healed, but not to the extent that her full flight capability was regained. This loss of maneuverability and hunting ability prevented her from being released back into the wild. Cibola had the deserved reputation as being one of NMWC’s most vocal Ambassadors. Especially in springtime, Cibola could often be heard across the NMWC landscape. Her voice and presence will be missed as the first raptor Ambassador encountered on the DePonte Family Wildlife Walk. Please share your stories of Cibola by sending an email to info@newmexicowildlifecenter.org.
From staff member, Dawn: I think Cibola was one of the most beautiful raptors here at NMWC. She had exquisite, fine gray lines in her feathers and fiery red eyes. Her calls in the springtime were slightly deafening if you happened to be standing near her enclosure. I could still hear her inside my office in our main building! I admired her wild spirit and am so grateful she doesn’t have to live in pain or discomfort. She is flying along now, in some forest, reaching out with her talons for a fresh meal.
I recommend reading more about goshawks at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Goshawk.
