Losing one of our animal ambassadors is never easy. Developing relationships with the animals under our care is unavoidable—mutual respect and trust is necessary to provide high quality care. Our respect, admiration and appreciation of each animal ambassador runs deep.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lakota the red-shouldered hawk. Lakota was admitted to the wildlife center as an immature bird in February 2009. Although her full story is unknown, her injuries indicated a possible collision with a vehicle. She was blind in the left eye and had permanent feather follicle damage to the right wing. Consequently, her injuries prevented her from flying and hunting and therefore she would not survive in the wild.
Over the years, Lakota was patiently and diligently trained and became one of the few ambassadors who would jump on a staff member’s glove voluntarily. She programmed beautifully, becoming one of the most popular ambassadors for many years, even after she suffered a stroke later in life. Once you had her trust, she was a friend for life. She would greet staff with little chirps—a soft sweet sound. She was particularly fond of having showtunes sung to her while her cage was being cleaned and always joined in with her sweet chirps (she was especially partial to “Wouldn’t it be Loverly” from My Fair Lady).
Her favorite place was the woods where she was calm and at peace as she viewed the scenery and enjoyed the forest sounds. Long walks were a balm, like going home. Lakota was a bit of tease in the spring when she would call male red-shouldered hawks. She was a successful temptress as many visited her, but no matches were ever made.
Lakota was named for the Native American tribe that revered her species. The hawks represented courage, focus and keen observation. Their ability to soar high in the sky was a metaphor for the ability to gain a broader perspective when facing life’s challenges. The Lakota people also believed it was a good omen to see a red-shouldered hawk. Each program Lakota was a part of over the years allowed staff to educate the audience about her species, their place in history, and their significance to the Lakota.
While we are saddened by her passing, we are happy to celebrate Lakota’s remarkable life. We learned a lot from her, and we know many of you did too. We invite the public to share their memories of Lakota with us at marketing@lakemetroparks.com.