“The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Stowaway”

The most wonderful time of the year is here, and our favorite holiday traditions are starting! This includes the one and only Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. But, this year a shocking yet adorable surprise was hidden beneath the tree branches… Rockefeller The Owl! Rocky has become the unofficial mascot of the 2020 holiday season. But how exactly did Rocky get there?

In New York City, this widely-known tradition of bringing in and lighting the tree takes place every year. The tradition began back in 1931 and has been broadcast around the world since 1951. The tree selected for 2020 is a 75-foot tall, 11-ton tree that came all the way from Oneonta, New York. After the trees (and Rocky’s) journey from Oneonta, the tree arrived at Rockefeller Center on November 14th. A few days later, a worker found the hungry and thirsty owl on November 16th while doing work on the tree. After a moment of shock, the worker retrieved Rocky from the tree, slipped her into a box, and brought her to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center.

Rockefeller had been through a couple of rough days. When she was brought to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, Rocky was classified as a Northern Saw-Whet Owl, one of the smallest owls in North America! She was not in the best of shape when she arrived at the center. She was thirsty and hungry, but everyone took amazing care of Rocky. She was given fluids and a buffet of all she could eat mice! Everyone at the center made sure Rockefeller was in good health before she would be cleared for release. She went through many tests, vet checkups, and x-rays, and after a crazy week, she was cleared to be released on November 25th.

On the evening of November 25th, Rockefeller was released into a forest near Saugerties, New York. Although it is still a mystery exactly how Rocky made the long trek into the city, she has gone through some journey and I hope she has a safe journey south!

Don’t forget to tune in TONIGHT (Wednesday, December 2nd) at 8PM for the annual Christmas tree lighting. There will be performances from Kelly Clarkson, Leslie Odom Jr, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Earth, Wind and Fire.