'Queen' raven at Tower of London feared dead after missing several weeks [View all]

"Jami Ganz
January 13, 2021, 2:09 pm
The “queen” raven of the Tower of London has been missing for weeks, according to the fortress’ staff.

Merlina, the “undisputed ruler of the roost, queen of the Tower ravens,” is now feared dead, a Tower spokesman told BBC News Wednesday.

Seven ravens currently reside at the Tower.

Merlina the raven, at the Tower of London
Merlina the raven, at the Tower of London

Merlina the raven, at the Tower of London

Legend has it that the departure of the birds would lead to the downfall of both the fortress and the kingdom.

The “continued absence” of the bird, who has been part of the flock since 2007, “indicates to us that she may have sadly passed away,” said the spokesman.

Merlina, he said, “will be greatly missed by her fellow ravens, the ravenmaster, and all of us in the Tower community.”

“Though it isn’t unusual for our ravens to roam outside the walls, free-spirited Merlina has previously always returned to the Tower and to the Ravenmaster and his team, with whom she shared a wonderfully close bond,” The Tower of London tweeted.

Given there is currently “one more than the required 6″ ravens currently at the Tower, the fortress doesn’t intend to immediately “fill Merlina’s vacancy.”



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