Opinion: Look Whoooo Came to KSL today – Ollie the Owl
May 19, 2021, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:47 am
Today was one of those days when I really and truly missed being in the studio at KSL. It’s been a blessing in many ways to be broadcasting my part of the morning show from home for these past many months, but this morning? I wanted to be there with Tim to meet Ollie, the Verreaux (pronounced Ver-rose) Eagle Owl, the largest owl on the continent of Africa. Ollie came to us with his handler Tate Mason, the Director of the World Center for Birds of Prey.
Why you might ask, would Tate stop by the KSL studios (other than how cool it is to meet an owl and learn about him). Well, Tate is in Utah to honor one of the great Utah companies we have here that is doing something to protect the lives of birds of prey, prevent wildfires and power outages and that is good for business. It’s a triple win.
Kaddas Enterprises developed a thermoform plastic bird guard product for power lines that is now used globally to stop animal caused power outages and the needless electrocution of birds of prey.
That invention is worthwhile too, 20% of all power outages in the United States are caused by interaction with birds. Mason explained to us during his visit to KSL that protecting the birds from the power lines also prevents the sparking of wildfires, which has become more and more the focus and challenge of Western states.
In recognition of Kaddas’ contribution and commitment, the World Center Birds of Prey is gifting them a bronze sculpture of a peregrine falcon in flight tomorrow at a special ceremony. The sculpture was done by renowned artist Benjamin Victor and will be unveiled following comments by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tomorrow at the newly expanded location of Kaddas Enterprises.
