News

Worcester, Mass. – November 26, 2019 – Two young female corvids (specifically the species Common Raven) are in their new habitat at the EcoTarium museum of science and nature to complete the master plan for Wild Cat Station, the newest spectacular exhibit featuring two mountain lions and native bird species. The ravens arrive by means of a four-month rehabilitation with a wildlife rehabilitator. They were deemed “imprinted:” too comfortable with their human caretakers, without food-hunting skills, and therefore, unable to be released into their natural habitat. Also known as the northern raven, they are the most widely circulated corvid, the Family which also includes the raven’s cousin the crow, and the largest corvid species in the northern hemisphere. They are social and highly intelligent, and therefore, museum wildlife staff will devote a great deal of planning and time into stimulation such as enrichment items, feeding exercises and training. As ravens are scavengers, it has become unfortunately common for the birds to ingest anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning which builds in their livers, eventually resulting in death. EcoTarium wildlife staff and educators will emphasize the serious impact that rodenticide poisoning has on these particular species and the ecosystem at large as a focus of educational programs for students and guests.

Longtime EcoTarium supporters Janet and Gordon Lankton supported the creation of a Corvid habitat through a generous capital campaign gift to Wild Cat Station. They were given the exciting opportunity of naming one raven “Jan,” to compliment Janet’s beloved pseudonym “the old crow.” The other female has been named “Poe.”

Often a subject of mythology and folklore, the ravens are talkative and vocal: they coo, grumble, growl, chirp, and scream. They are highly destructive with an active curiosity to investigate everything. Their diet consists of different rodents, fish, various produce and prepared meats. In the wild, their lifespan is 10-15 years, under human care they have been known to live up to 20 years.

Jan and Poe are typical of the animals who call the EcoTarium home. They are not able to live in their natural habitats due to injuries, illness or human socialization. All animals are housed in person-made habitats that have been specially designed to meet the natural needs of the species as well as to accommodate any physical limitations of the individual animal. The museum’s residents receive regular veterinary exams and daily interaction with their experienced and professional caretakers.