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Meet Zeus: The blind owl with the universe in his eyes
Owls are often called the epitome of wisdom in the animal kingdom, they are mysterious and majestic birds that have excellent night vision, sharp talons, and eerie, echoing calls.
Most of these birds are solitary, shy hunters, gliding silently through forests or deserts after dark in search of prey.
With their forward-facing eyes and rotating heads, owls have long been symbols of perfection and the wild unknown.
But not all owls fit the mold of this classic nighttime predator. While most are elusive and wary of human contact, some rare individuals show us a softer, more personal side. One such extraordinary owl is Zeus, a blind Western screech owl who, instead of soaring through the night sky, now lives a calm and peaceful life beside a desk in Southern California.
The owl with the universe in his eyes
Zeus was discovered one morning on a front porch in Central California, injured and unable to fly. He had crashed into a house wall, and it quickly became clear something was wrong. According to Paul Hahn, founder of the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar, California, 'He was found emaciated and blind in front of someone's house in Central California'.
After being brought to the Center, Zeus was examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist who diagnosed him with capsular cataracts, a condition that leaves his eyes flecked with white and shimmering patterns that look like stars.
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'The white flecks that glisten in his eyes are caused by unique fibrin/blood pigment clots,' Hahn explained. 'These pigments cause a unique starry-eyed look, for which he is well known, hence the name Zeus', as per reports by the Bored Panda.
He now lives in a protected centre
Though he only has about 10% of his vision left and cannot survive in the wild, Zeus found a forever home at the Wildlife Learning Center. He now lives in a comfortable spot inside the center, perched in a hollowed trunk on top of Hahn's filing cabinet.
'Zeus exudes a very peaceful presence and is very calm. He has a very big personality and exhibits a bit of a curious nature,' Hahn said.
Visitors are surprised when they see Zeus. 'Many other people see him but believe he is a stuffed animal because he is so calm and peaceful. When he wakes and opens his eyes, people gasp. We have had people almost in tears when he reveals his peepers,' said Hahn said to the Bored Panda.
While he can no longer hunt like his wild cousins, Zeus plays another important role. 'It is really special that Zeus' disability is causing so many people to be aware and care for screech owls and our environment everywhere. He truly is an ambassador to his species,' Hahn shared.
Zeus may not fly under the stars anymore, but with eyes like his, he carries the night sky with him.
