PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Ivory set free at Prudhoe Bay

After a six-month stay in Sitka, Alaska, and 1,500 miles of jet travel in a dog kennel, “Ivory,” a two-year old Snowy owl, was released at Prudhoe Bay in late June by the Alaska Raptor Center.

Approximately 75 well-wishers were present to cheer her release, including Colville Inc. President Mark Helmericks who opened the cage door.

Ivory, a wild owl that was rescued in December, was released on a pingo overlooking the Saganavirktok (Sag) River. According to Colville News, the site, which was chosen by Helmericks and Colville summer hires Jordan Davis and Rick Oldson, was covered with wild flowers and “brimming with ground squirrels.”

Ivory’s care and release festivities, which included White Owl cigars, music, ice cream, and three cakes with owl motifs, were underwritten by ConocoPhillips, Alaska Airlines, Ice Services, Brooks Range Supply, Colville and Prudhoe Bay General Store.

The cakes with owl motifs were concocted for the occasion by master baker Raven Mosher of Colville, including one that said “Free Ivory.”

Kathy Adkins, Marie Draper and photographer Kelly Champ of Brooks Range Supply made the special “Project Hooter” labels for each cigar.

Capping off the event was a live acoustic guitar serenade by “Tony D” Martin of Brooks Range Supply, performing “Free Bird,” the classic Lynard Skynrd tune as Ivory flew by the cheering crowd. According to “Only the caribou grazing on the other side of the Sag River seemed unimpressed by the event. But they’ve seen strange things done in the midnight sun before,” said Deb Bernard from the Prudhoe Bay General Store.

“The clear Arctic evening was a perfect setting for this bird to return to its summer habitat,” said Rollo Pool, ARC’s executive director who traveled to Prudhoe Bay with ARC veterinarian Dr. Vicky Vosberg.

Ivory found near Sitka

After determining that the owl was starving but uninjured, ARC kept her in its Sitka rehabilitation facility for the rest of the winter where she was fed a steady supply of frozen rats and exercised in a large aerobic training tube.

Despite the five-star treatment, it was clear Ivory was ready to hunt for live prey. ARC purposefully scheduled her release in the Arctic near summer solstice when prey, like lemmings, would be abundant.

In preparation for her release, and prior to the jet trip to the North Slope, the bird was given a clinic check-up and its talons and beak sharpened, Vosberg said

The Colville News described the moment of Ivory’s release as follows: “A hush fell over the crowd as Mark quietly propped open the wire door, steadying the cage in anticipation. Ivory didn’t appear. After a pause, Dr. Vosberg crept forward on her knees and peered around the edge of the cage, then sat back. A moment later, Ivory shot out like a silver bullet.

“Ivory launched in full control, into the perfect headwind into which Mark, one pilot to another, had faced Ivory’s cage for quick departure lift. Soaring back over his audience, Ivory chose to return to the middle of Deadhorse, settling on a nearby tundra ridge overlooking a lagoon.”

“With the benefit of 24-hour daylight, the big white owl could be seen well into the night perching on high ground overlooking a freshwater lagoon, preening and starting to hunt,” Pool said.

Vosberg observed the owl chasing a songbird within an hour of its release. Reports of Ivory sightings continued into the next day.

First owl release in Deadhorse service area

It was also the first time an owl was released in the Deadhorse service area of Prudhoe Bay. Hunting and firearms are banned across the oil field, creating a virtual safe haven for wildlife. In addition, the banks of the Sag River offered the bird prime and undisputed territory to claim

Onlookers said Ivory looked completely at ease on her choice of perch.

Note: The Colville News gave special thanks to all the photographers at the event, especially Rhonda Kutzner of Colville and Flossie Lampe Swanson.

—Special to the Petroleum Directory