Red-tailed hawk missing after vandalism at San Jose's Youth Science Institute

Nicole Szeto

2.20.09

English 1B

Gabor


Red-tailed hawk missing after vandalism at San Jose's Youth Science Institute

This past Friday around 9:30 p.m, intruders broke into the Youth Science Institute located at San Jose’s Alum Rock Park. Tosh, a 20-year-old red-tailed hawk was released and also the intruders also released a great horned owl but it was found in a fence nearby. The intruders also damaged a wooden fence and destroyed the door to the institute which will cost around $2,000 in damage and vandalism. The institute educates about 30,000 children a year about more than 80 mammals that are living in the institute. Tosh, the red-tailed hawk give the children a chance to observe and learn more about animals like her, it also makes science concepts more understandable when it is applied to Tosh. The institute held an emergency fundraiser campaign which raised $300,000 in 12 weeks so the institute to keep operating.

This is important because the damage that was caused to the institute will ultimately slower the cash flow going into the institute. The institute already needed an emergency fundraiser campaign and with this incident that just happened, it will just add on to the list to be worried about. Also the economy is struggling as well, especially attractions like this institute, because many are struggling to keep the viewers coming. I am pretty sure Tosh and the owl were part of the main attraction at the institute, and without them their it can cause a huge effect in prospectors. Without institutes like this kids are not able to see the animals up close in person which can effect them in understanding the science concepts or just making learning more interesting so I hope the institute will be able to continue even with this incident.