In Greek mythology, the Little Owl was the messenger of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and was featured on ancient Athenian coins. Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity Lakshmi’s vehicle was a white owl. Some Native American tribes believed the owl could bear souls to the afterlife.

Mythology aside, Athens, Ga. holds value to its own collection of owls. For those wanting to learn more about what some consider the wisest of all birds, Bear Hollow on Gran Ellen Drive is home to a variety of owls, from tiny screech owls named Grey and Gimli to Karlos the Great Horned Owl.

Owls are part of a group of birds called raptors, which includes birds with talons and sharp beaks that are predators- such as hawks, falcons and eagles.

“I never really noticed that, and then we do the [raptor] class that we have, and it’s so popular,” said Stephanie Shumacher, the zoo assistant and a University graduate.

“It always fills up. We have a lot of birds. I think kids like the bears and the bobcats and the otters more than the birds.”

But Raptor 101, the raptor training class, is for adults. The six-week class is free, and Bear Hollow asks that, upon completion, participants volunteer at the zoo four hours per month.

“They learn how to feed them and clean the cages,” Shumacher said. “We handle them on the glove. People will go in and catch the birds, walk around the zoo, and talk to the guests about them.”

The birds come from different places, such as the Carolina Raptor Center and the Auburn Raptor Center, but they were all either born in captivity or were injured in the wild. When these larger facilities have extra birds, Bear Hollow takes them in. The birds receive medical attention and are available for visitors to learn more about Georgia wildlife.

“None of the animals here could survive on their own in the wild,” Schumacher said.

Bear Hollow was established in the 1940s as a petting zoo type refuge for the community’s unwanted pets. In 1987, it was funded by a federal grant to become a zoo for native Georgia wildlife, as opposed to other facilities like Zoo Atlanta, which showcase creatures from all over the world but do not particularly focus on local fauna.

“These are very common birds in Georgia – red-tailed hawk, barn owls,” Schumacher said. “I think Bear Hollow is important because everything here can be found in Georgia.”

Bear Hollow volunteer Jennifer Yates said her interest in animals peaked after working with the owls. “How often can you really get close to an owl?” she said. “The second you touch one, it’s a completely different experience.”

Yates, who is a senior wildlife major from Powder Springs, works with animal care and operant conditioning in addition to her work with raptors.

“There are some owls that can exert a huge amount of pressure with their talons and beaks,” Yates said. “Great horned owls can exert up to 500 pounds. It’s the reason we wear gloves, they can do a lot of damage.”

The Bear Hollow Owls aren’t the only ones making their mark on Athenians.

Agora on Clayton Street is full of owls – on rings, necklaces, pins and vintage decor. Owner Airee Hong has noticed the rising popularity of the owl.

“Owls are popular now, I believe, because in the ’60s and ’70s they were a really big symbol, and that era has become really popular now in fashion,” Hong said.

Perhaps this fashion trend stems from an owl’s fascinating abilities. In addition to their surprising strength, owls have the best night vision of any creature. Their heads can turn all the way around and they can hear a mouse walking on leaves from more than 100 feet away. Bear Hollow is open from 9 a.m. until sunset daily, and is always seeking volunteers.