It’s a rocket!

It’s a plane!

A hot air balloon?

No! It’s a…

      

Raptors, or birds of prey, can range in size from the Saw Whet Owl to the Golden Eagle. It’s like picking up a soda can in one hand and a toddler in the other… quite a difference, right? And that’s just here in North America!

With all the modern advances humankind has made, we’ve actually given a little trouble to these guys. Marion County, since 1994, has been trying to help rectify the problem.  Our Raptor Rehab Facility has taken care of those sick, orphaned and injured creatures. Most of their injuries are caused by moving vehicles.

In more recent news, the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center has acquired 285 acres of land to continue aiding these beautiful creatures and educating the public.

This Grand Opening of the new and improved (and mu#mce_temp_url#ch more spacious) Bunner Ridge Raptor Rehabilitation Center will be November 10th from 1 to 5 p.m. And, grand it truly will be! Watch demonstrations of Neo, the broad-winged hawk. Get introduced to their new rapacious member, Yampa, an American kestrel. Take a hike on their first established trail. Or, take a tour and mingle with the other guests- like Thunder, the Bald Eagle, and the many other education birds who have made the Raptor Rehab their home.

So, what’s a raptor, and what can it do for us?

     

Raptors are birds of prey, which includes hawks, falcons, eagles, owls and vultures. They control pest outbreaks in both agricultural and urban settings. Raptors prey on insects and rodents (thankfully). As a true predator will, they prey on the weak and the sick.

But when these delightful creatures aren’t feeling very well and can’t prey, hopefully some good samaritan will get him or her to the WVRRC. The most common birds admitted to the facility are the Eastern Screech-Owl and the Red-tailed hawk. There, the patient is placed in the Intensive Care Unit for a few days, a couple weeks, or maybe months- whatever the raptor requires! From there, the bird will be moved to a flight cage for eventual release. However, if a raptor is too sick or hurt to go back into the wild skies of West Virginia, the Raptor Rehab will get him or her a permanent home.

To check out all the birds they’ve helped over the years, see their easy-to-read Disposition Reports.

One thing not seen on their disposition reports is what they’ve given to people. Education. This is what is most important for the raptors, that we understand them. The WVRRC has plans for summer camps, internships, artists workshops, and the list may never end!

New or old, eagle or vulture, sick or injured, the WVRRC is on a mission to rehabilitate and release birds of prey and provide environmental education programs to the public. And the one thing they need to do this?

Support.
In whatever way you can— time, aid, donations, education, spreading the word or booking events.

Take the first step November 10th. Support them by celebrating with them!