Tuesday, August 15, 2000
They give them wings and prayers
RAPTOR Inc. saves birds of prey that have seriously ruffled their feathers
By Mike Pulfer
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Did you have a nice flight to end your summer vacation?
Volunteer veterinary Dr. Peter Hill and LuAnn Junker begin tests on the barn owl at PetCare Animal Hospital, Blue Ash.
(Luis Sanchez photo)
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Well, some of these guys didn't.
But, thanks to the Regional Association for the Protection and Treatment of Raptors (RAPTOR Inc.), injured birds of prey will fly again.
RAPTOR, a private nonprofit group based in a weathered-wood, tin-roof barn on the western edge of Winton Woods, in Springfield Township, has helped rehabilitate birds and educate humans since 1978. The group's focus: hawks, eagles, osprey, vultures and owls that need help.
Now the organization itself needs help — to finance a new outdoor educational facility.
“Interest has grown over the past five years,” said Jeff Hays, RAPTOR treasurer. “Last year, we went to more than 100 schools (most of them elementary) in our educational program.”
RAPTOR has about 300 local members. Officers, members and consulting veterinarians volunteer their services.
The organization now has 20 birds in its roomy cages (6-by-6-by-10 feet tall), 12 of which will be returned to the wild near the spots where they were rescued. The remaining residents are “program birds,” too fragile to survive in the wild and designated to demonstrate characteristics and capabilities in visits to schools.
For more information or to report an ailing bird, call 825-3325 or go to http://w3.one.net/~keller/raptor/index.htm.
