Having a hoot: Wildlife expert introduces children to variety of animals during Summer Reading Club event

July 23, 2016 at 4:59 a.m. | Updated July 23, 2016 at 4:59 a.m.

by Lori Dunn

Shawna Adams introduces Elliot, a Eurasian eagle-owl, to children who accomplished their summer reading goals at the Texarkana Public Library. Adams works for Natural History Education Co. of the Midsouth and tours the region educating children about exotic animals. When Adams moves her arm, Elliot opens his wings to regain balance.
Shawna Adams introduces Elliot, a Eurasian eagle-owl, to children who accomplished their summer reading goals at the Texarkana Public Library. Adams works for Natural History Education Co. of the Midsouth and tours the region educating children about exotic animals. When Adams moves her arm, Elliot opens his wings to regain balance.

Sitting on his handler's arm, Elliot the Eurasian eagle-owl's large yellow eyes surveyed the room full of children as they watched him in awe.

Elliot was one of the animals featured Friday at a wildlife presentation held as part of the Texarkana Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club.

Elliot's wings flapped silently while a few feathers drifted to the ground.

"He is molting," said Wildlife Program Director and biologist Shawna Adams.

Adams introduced Elliot to the children as "large and in charge."

"This guy is truly a teenager in every sense of the word," Adams said. "He sleeps all day and wants to stay up all night."

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Photo by Stephen B. Thornton

Members at Levy Baptist Church guide a 20-foot-by-30-foot American flag up a new 80-foot pole during a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon at the church in North Little Rock. The flag and pole were dedicated in memory of William “Dub” Waymack, a Pearl Harbor survivor who died earlier this year, and his wife.

She said Elliot often keeps her up night with his "hooting" when she travels with him.

The Eurasian eagle-owl is a species of owl that resides in much of Eurasia and is one of the largest types of owl. Females can grow to a total length of 75 cm (30 inches). Males are slightly smaller.

The Eurasian eagle-owl is found in a number of habitats but is mostly a bird of mountain regions, forests, and other relatively remote places. It is a mostly nocturnal predator, hunting for prey at night.

"He is an awesome hunter. His beak is like carrying a steak knife around."

Eurasian eagle-owls have no natural predators, Adams said.

Adams is a high school biology teacher who works with The Natural History Educational Company of the Mid south during the summer. The company, based in Columbia, Tenn., provides educational wildlife programs for schools, libraries and conservation organizations throughout the Southeast.

Friday's wildlife presentation was an invitation-only event for children and teens who participated in the Texarkana Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club.

Children up to age 12 were required to log at least nine hours of reading or being read to. Teens 13 to 16 were required to log at least 15 hours.

Adams also introduced the children to Dominick, an eight-month-old kangaroo and several other animals.

Dominick is shy because he is so young, Adams said. He was more comfortable taking refuge in a tote bag Adams carried on her shoulder.

"It's like his pouch," she said.

Adams also showed off an African "mega bat" who mainly eats fruit. These types of bats differ from bats in the United States that are "micro bats" and eat insects.

Children attending the program were able to ask Adams questions about the animals at the end of her presentation.

To learn more about the program, visit [email protected] or the group's facebook page.

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