MARQUETTE, MI-- A rehabbed snowy owl was returned to the wild and the Marquette Women’s Center Harbor House benefited at the same time Sunday.
The Chocolay Raptor Center held an online auction for bidders to win the opportunity to release the female owl, which was found weak and emaciated in early January. She was nursed back to health at the Center, which decided to hold the auction to raise money for the Harbor House.
Jen Weide was the highest bidder. She learned how to hold and release the Center’s resident great horned owl, Sage, then released the snowy owl Sunday afternoon at Gentz’s Homestead Golf Course.
The second-highest bidder in the auction, Kathy Koenig, was able to hold Sage on her glove to get her owl fix.
The event raised a total of $1,200 for the Harbor House, which provides shelter to victims of domestic violence.
