University of Minnesota Raptor Center looking to name two baby Great Horned Owls

Friday is the final day to submit name ideas for two new baby owl ambassadors at the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center.

In early April, at just weeks old, one male and one female Great Horned Owl were rescued after both suffered injuries to their eyes when they fell out the nest. One of them even lost an eye.

Hoever, Education Naturalist Jenna Kopp says it hasn't stopped them from being playful.

"We gave him a stuffed rat toy like a lush, he carries it around like all day," says Kopp. "She plays as well, she just doesn't play as much as he does."

Medical Director Dana Franzen-Klein says once they get their names they can continue their ambassador training.

"And teach people about raptors what they do in the environment, and let people see those birds up close," Franzen-Klein explains.

The Raptor Center treats around 125 Great Horned Owls every year.

Dana Franzen-Klein says now the two will become permanent residents as education ambassadors.. but first they need names and some training to get there.

"They're learning about their environment, learning what's normal and what's abnormal, what they should be scared of and not," Franzen-Klein said. "So when they came to our hospital really young, and we realized pretty quickly they couldn't be released, we could start the socialization process. Just like you do with a new puppy so that they get exposed to lots of different things and can adapt really well."

She adds they could live as long as 30 years.

The top five name picks will be released for the public to vote on next week before the official names are revealed on July 18.