Lupe came to New Mexico Wildlife Center in 2018 for retirement in education after a long career as a falconry and breeding project participant. Being a Harris’s Hawk, Lupe was always highly engaging with her trainers, had an overall gentle demeanor and was always doing happy tail wiggles when she saw them.
In November 2021, several staff and volunteers witnessed her being more unwilling to engage in training and interactions. She was also consistently losing weight despite being fed copious amounts of food. Our veterinarian, Dr. Sarah, examined her and found that Lupe was no longer cleaning herself and preening her feathers. She also suspected that Lupe was developing heart disease. Dr. Sarah determined that medications would not make much difference to her quality of life, and might only prolong her suffering. With all of this information we decided that Lupe’s time to say good-bye had come. She passed humanely and peacefully surrounded by staff. Lupe was 29 years old, an achievement in itself for a species that rarely lives over 25 in human care.
We know Lupe touched many with her cheerful tail wiggles and vocal greetings and she will be sorely missed by all.
Staff and volunteers reminisced on their time spent with Lupe:
- “Lupe was a wonderful bird to work with, whether I was cleaning her mew and a simple “Who’s a pretty girl” would invoke her friendly tail wag. Whether I was feeding her and a simple “Who’s hungry” would invoke her friendly tail wag. Whether I was working with her calling her to my glove, a simple “Who’s a pretty bird” would invoke her friendly tail wag. Lupe will be greatly missed!! What a great bird to love and be loved back.” -Chad Lauritzen, Volunteer
- “Lupe was one of the most accomplished Harris Hawks I have ever met in my 20 years training raptors. She had a full resume: falconry, breeder and education. She was literally missing only 2 other jobs that Harris Hawks do. She was a wonderfully sweet bird and I will miss her tail wiggles when she saw me. I am so glad that Lupe got to retire here.” -Shawna Protze, Curator of Animals and Education Programs
- “The loss of our sweet Harris’ Hawk Lupe was devastating. Harris’ Hawks are social and intelligent birds and Lupe, even in her short time at NMWC, captured the hearts of staff, volunteers, and visitors alike. She was so smart and picked up on new behaviors so quickly that it made her a joy to work with and interact with. I trained alongside her for almost a year before officially retiring her due to her advanced age. But she still got to have regular interaction with volunteers who grew to love her just as much as the staff. Her signature tail wiggle was one of my most favorite things she did. After landing on the glove of someone she trusted or hopping into her crate happily for some treats she would always wiggle that tail. She was a wonderful bird and will always hold a special place in my heart. Fly free sweet girl. ” -Chase Spearing, Education Coordinator
