(Cetan) Lutah

Origin of her name:
Her full name is pronounced "Che-tan Looh-Tah", though everyone called her just Lutah. It means "Red Hawk" in Lakota. Red Hawk was Crazy Horse's medicine - fearless, aggressive and swift moving. The name is also linked to the rising dawn of the east - a communicating messenger for knowledge.

Species:
Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)

Status:
Died spring '08 - after fifteen years as a gracious ambassador for her species. (Please see tribute in "Favorite Stories" section below.)

Rescue Story:
Admitted September 1993 very underweight and with an injury to her right eye. She was found by a Forest Preserve District Ranger at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville. The eye was removed by veterinarians at Willowbrook Wildlife Center because it couldn't be saved.

All images on this page are also links to high resolution images good for printing.

Favorite Photos:

	This photo of Lutah and Anne Marie was taken in the summer of '07 on a particularly hot day. This was Anne Marie's first time getting a bird on the glove all by herself. She shared Lutah with volunteers of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors group as part of a thank you picnic. When brought out from under the shelter and into the sun, Lutah gently spread her wings and held that gorgeous pose until everyone had all the photos they wanted.
	Dee and Lutah... obviously during autumn. Dee, is there a story that goes with this photo?
	Heide and Lutah. Heide, is there a story that goes with this photo?
	This photo came from the photo library on the Willowbrook computer. Unfortunately, I don't know who took it.

Favorite Stories

A Tribute to Lutah from Ron

Dear Volunteers and Staff –

Lutah, our female education red-tailed hawk, died on April 29,2008 from a respiratory ailment. She was observed in the morning experiencing labored breathing. Dr. Jen began her on general antibiotics and made a makeshift oxygen chamber to help her with her breathing. Unfortunately, Lutah did not survive the day. At this time, we do not know whether this was caused by a viral or fungal agent or congestive heart failure. Dr. Jen will perform a necropsy on Lutah to attempt to determine the root cause. The health and welfare of all of our birds at this time is our primary concern.

Lutah came to Willowbrook in 1993 and was a young-of-year bird. She was one of the favorite birds of all who had the privilege to work with her. Her calm and mellow demeanor made her well suited for training new raptor handlers. She truly was a “Beginners’ Bird” and was very patient with clumsy human trainees. She had a great knack for instilling confidence in new raptor interpreters.

Lutah was also a great educator. She helped to educate thousands of children and adults over the 15 years she was with us at Willowbrook. Her beauty and grace impressed all who had the opportunity to meet her. She seemed totaling unfazed by either casual trail encounters or school programs. I can’t ever recall seeing her stressed while on the glove.

I’m sure if she had the opportunity to speak she would thank all of the volunteers who took such wonderful care of her and the Professor. She watched over you as you tidied up her cage and appreciated the care you took in preparing her meals. She particularly enjoyed “rat day”! She also enjoyed the interactions with the raptor volunteer interpreters. She seemed to enjoy going for walks on the exhibit trail and experiencing the sights and sounds of the people she met.

She will be dearly missed.

Ron