It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Oberon, our respected and beloved Barred Owl ambassador, passed away on Tuesday, May 5. Oberon served at NorthWoods longer than any current staff member—she came to live with us in 2006, after being struck by a vehicle and rehabilitated at the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences. Unable to be returned to the wild, she spent two decades at NorthWoods as our wildlife ambassador, teaching thousands of visitors around the region about the wonder and importance of our avian neighbors.
Oberon remained a truly wild being through her long life—she was fierce, opinionated, and never tame—learning how to feed and handle her was a rite of passage for many of our staff over the years, and she chose to become close only to a select few. She kept us on our toes in more ways than one, as in 2021 when after years of being assumed to be male, she laid an egg. In this way, Oberon truly was an ambassador of the wild—teaching us humility, respect and consideration for the other inhabitants of this place we all call home.
We know that Oberon touched many lives over the decades, and we welcome you to share your stories and remembrances by emailing [email protected].
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 5:30pm, we will be holding a public memorial service, celebrating Oberon’s life and her return to nature. We thank you for your condolences, and will be sharing more about how Oberon’s legacy will live on at NorthWoods over the coming year.