The vulture I've been training is no longer with us. Last week when I wasn't present, some new volunteers were doing cleaning and forgot to be diligent about the door, and he got nervous around so many new people. He ran past them and flew away.

On one hand I'm surprised and happy that he could fly, considering his injuries were scored by the Fish & Wildlife office as nonreleasable status meaning they didn't think he'd be able to survive in the wild, but as it was described to me he actually flew fast and far- if he'd landed we would have attempted recovery, but he just kept going.

At the same time, though, I'm saddened that I'll probably never get to see him again. I was imagining a far future and continuing relationship. He really was a cool bird, and I learned a lot doing research on how to make his (what I thought was permanent) stay with me as best as possible.

Looking forward, I know I'll be able to carry over what I've learned from handling him if we ever get another vulture in. Goodbye, Voltaire.