Meet the Ambassadors at ORC
*We’re on our annual summer break from on-site programs due to heat and yellow jacket activity, prioritizing the safety of our guests, birds, and staff. In the meantime, explore our off-site offerings and special events!
During this immersive one-hour experience in the scenic Ojai Valley, guests will meet some of the Center’s raptor ambassadors up close, both on the glove of their trainers and in the presentation aviary. Each ambassador’s unique story, natural history, and fascinating species facts will be shared through live demonstrations of natural behaviors. Visitors will also have the chance to explore the Center's biofact collection, deepening their understanding of native California raptors, while observing the many wild residents that frequently make an appearance onsite.
Spots are limited for Community Days so try and register early!
Booking Options:
Private Group Sessions
$400 for up to 12 guests (maximum of 15 with additional $33 per person).Community Days
$33 per person. Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 am - 12 pm.
All programs are for guests aged 6 and up.
Schedule your visit through one of the online booking calendars or purchase this experience as a gift certificate.
MEET OUR EDUCATION AMBASSADORS
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Ash the American Kestrel
Like many of our ambassadors, Ash is incapable of surviving in the wild because he imprinted onto humans instead of his own species, likely from being raised by an unlicensed member of the public.
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Topa the American Kestrel
Topa was hatched in the Spring of 2022 and admitted as a malprint in the Fall. He was likely found as a young chick and illegally raised and released by an unlicensed member of the public.
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Juniper the Great Horned Owl
Juniper came to Ojai Raptor Center in the Spring of 2020, in the beginning of nesting season as a young nestling with both head and eye trauma from a fall from her nest.
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Wonder the Turkey Vulture
Wonder was found freezing and starving in a field in Michigan, due to visual impairment and his inability to thermoregulate because of a pigment disorder. He suffered from frostbite and lost two digits as a result.
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Handsome the Turkey Vulture
Handsome was found as a nestling and was illegally held by a member of the public before being turned over to the Ojai Raptor Center. By the time he arrived he was already malprinted, or too habituated to humans to be released to the wild.
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Willow the Barn Owl
Willow came to us in 2019 after she was illegally raised in captivity by a member of the public, which resulted in her malprinting, or becoming too habituated to humans to be released to the wild.