Remembering Manzana

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller

Over the weekend we marked the poignant departure of one of our beloved avian ambassadors, Manzana the Barn Owl. As she gracefully embarked on her final flight, our hearts were filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the indelible impact she left on all of us. Even if you never had the opportunity to meet her in person, chances are you’ve encountered her captivating presence through the numerous portraits adorning our materials – she was undeniably one of our most photographed ambassadors.

In the spirit of Helen Keller’s wisdom, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Manzana epitomized this sentiment, transcending the boundaries of sight and sound to touch our hearts in ways words can scarcely capture.

Throughout her eight years representing her species at TRC, Manzana embodied the truest essence of an ambassador. It’s awe-inspiring to think that, despite facing challenges in seeing and hearing, she emerged as one of the most engaging members of our avian family, appearing in 1,290 programs during her lifetime and captivating 70,865 program participants. Her story resonates with the spirit of resilience and beauty that echoes through Ms. Keller’s profound words.

Her presence will continue to linger in the depths of our hearts. The wonder she evoked, the joy she shared, and the lessons she imparted are timeless gifts that will forever be etched in our collective memory.  We extend an invitation to you to partake in the heartfelt video tribute above, offering a glimpse into the vast ways in which Manzana touched our hearts. And, if you would like to make a gift in Manzana’s memory, we invite you to do so through The Owly Fund, which is dedicated to supporting the care and training of TRC’s current and future avian ambassadors.