Success Stories

Some shorebirds or raptors rehabilitated through our program come in with severe injuries resulting in permanent disabilities and are therefore non-releasable. These disabilities prevent them from being able to feed themselves or escape from predators. In these cases, the animals either become part of our family or we find a suitable home for them. Many of these birds have found a home in our exhibits or are presented in programs to educate Aquarium guests about the dangers these animals face and what each one of us can do to help.

We encourage everyone to come see our very own success stories!



Gus is a White Tailed Hawk. He was admitted into our rehabilitation program in 2001. It was discovered that Gus was blind in his right eye and because of this injury, would not be able to hunt for food in the wild.

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Orion is a Great Horned Owl. She was admitted to our rehabilitation program in 2001. Her left wing was badly injured and she cannot use it to fly.

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Diablo (image)

Diablo is a Red Tailed Hawk. He was admitted to our rehabilitation program in 1993. Diablo had an injury to his right wing, and can no longer fly.

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Mortimer is a Turkey Vulture. Mortimer’s left wing was so badly injured that it had to be amputated in order to save his life. Mortimer loves to sun, and will stretch out his one wing to catch the rays when he’s outside. Mortimer can be seen in our Wild Flight Show.

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Cecil is a Barn Owl, and came to the Aquarium in 2002 as a nestling with no feathers. Because he was raised by humans, Cecil began to depend on humans for food and survival, and was too imprinted to be released into the wild. Cecil can be seen flying in our Wild Flight Show.

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Cleo (image)

Cleo is a Swainson’s hawk. Cleo was admitted to our rehabilitation facility in 1994 and is about 14 years old! The tip of Cleo’s left wing had to be amputated and she cannot fly. Cleo can be seen in our Wild Flight Show.

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Cowboy is a Crested Caracara, or Mexican Eagle. Cowboy was admitted to the rehabilitation program for an injured shoulder in 1997. Cowboy was given a permanent home at the Aquarium when we realized he had been raised by humans and was too dependent on humans for food and care. Cowboy can be seen in our Wild Flight Show.

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Jackie (image)

Jackie is a Harris Hawk. Before Jackie came to the Aquarium, she was illegally owned by someone who did not have the permits to keep native Texas wildlife. She was confiscated by the government, and eventually turned over to the Aquarium to care for her. Jackie can be seen flying our Wild Flight Show, and serves as an important reminder that wildlife is protected, and keeping, harming, or harassing it is against the law.