From Nestling To Beloved Mascot, 'Dragon' Ends Her Watch Over Wildlife Center

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Dragon, a beloved white-tailed kite raptor who spent years captivating visitors as a wildlife ambassador, has died after caregivers determined her declining health left her with little prospect of recovery.

Staff at Lindsay Wildlife Experience made the decision to euthanize Dragon after she developed balance problems, difficulty perching, and health problems.

Medical treatment failed to sufficiently improve her condition, and caregivers considered her medical history and future quality of life before making the decision.

Dragon first arrived at the museum in 2017 as a nestling patient. Staff treated her briefly before releasing her back into the wild.

Two months later, she returned after flying into a building window. The resulting neurological injury, combined with her unusually docile behavior around people, led the museum to make her its first white-tailed kite animal ambassador.

Dragon spent time in a backstage aviary and frequently appeared in the raptor viewing window in the museum's exhibit hall.

Her animal care specialists and museum guests grew fond of her over the years. Lindsay Wildlife Experience said they will miss her.