LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A burrowing owl preserve is fostering a unique human-animal coexistence, nestled between homes in a Northwest Valley neighborhood.
The Rainbow Owl Preserve provides a safe place for vulnerable birds to nest, but its future is unclear.
“It’s important that people become interested in this, to help us preserve this,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Volunteer Pat Weidknecht says.
Volunteers like Weidknecht have been keeping a close eye on the owls for nearly a decade, as over 100 owlets have left their nests.
Because of the preserve’s unconventional location, Weidknecht says the owls have adjusted to human contact.
“There are houses all around, there are streets right close by that people are driving up and down,” she says. “To be able to have this much acreage, with this many owls here, is just remarkable.”
Another U.S. Fish and Wildlife volunteer, William Henderson, says the preserve has become an integral part of the Northwest Valley neighborhood.
“We see families that are walking dogs stop by the fence and look, kids on bikes drive over here and just look over the fence and stare at them for 30 minutes,” he says. “You can see them looking at you, and they don’t try to run away.”
It sits on privately owned property that the landowner has donated to the cause out of concern for the vulnerable species. But, some of that land may need to be sold, meaning the future of the preserve is unclear.
The group will eventually be asking for donations to make the preserve a forever home for the owls. In the meantime, to learn more about helping or volunteering, email Ailin Henderson.
The community is invited to visit The Rainbow Owl Preserve. It sits on two adjacent plots of land, one on North Rainbow Blvd and Jo Marcy Dr., and the other on Donald Nelson Ave and Rio Vista St.
Volunteers say the owls are most visible at sunrise or sunset.
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