The Tower of London is missing Merlina, the leader of the ravens who provide legendary security as the famed Beefeaters provide physical security. The bird has flown the coop, and may have died; legend says if the ravens leave, the Tower and the nation will fall.
But while the story made great copy for the press and an opportunity for pictures, there’s really no crisis. Minus Merlina, who has ruled the roost since 2007, there are still six others, although none are as photogenic as Merlina, who often shared a bench with official ravenmaster and was known to be addicted to Pringles.
And that’s part of the problem; Tower officials believe that with visitor numbers way down because of lockdowns, the ravens have been leaving the Tower grounds to forage elsewhere, and either encountering danger, or more alluring quarters. However, still no danger: in 2018, the Tower launched a raven breeding program to ensure future supply.
