MIZZOU NEWS

Students Are Helping Our Feathered Friends

Story by Sara Bondioli
Photos courtesy of the Raptor Rehabilitation Project

Median, one of nine resident birds in the University of Missouri-Columbia's Raptor Rehabilitation Project, tenses as an excited child runs toward him on a trail at Runge Conservation Nature Center. The barred owl's handler raises the bird out of the child's reach and slightly behind her as she gently tells the child he cannot pet the bird. The child's curiosity will have to be satisfied from a safe distance as the handler speaks about barred owls.

The Project's Adopt a Raptor program allows Missourians to sponsor a bird for $30 to $45. Each sponsor receives the bird's species information, personal story and photo, as well as occasional updates on the bird.

"We're putting a renewed emphasis on our Adopt a Raptor program to take the pressure off costs of the educational programs and help with increased food costs," said Amber Edwards, an MU senior and one of the project's education coordinators.

Permanent resident raptors are rehabilitated birds who cannot regain the skills to survive in the wild. They may have permanently injured wings or poor eyesight that interfere with their ability to hunt for food. These birds are used in the project's public appearances and classroom education presentations throughout the year. The project participates in four to eight programs each month, including regular events such as Columbia's Twilight Festival and Earth Day celebration. Permanent resident birds also act as foster parents for young, injured birds in rehabilitation who need to be taught survival skills before being released.

The Raptor Rehabilitation Project began in 1972 to help eagles. Since that time, it has grown to include all raptors, including eagles, falcons, hawks, turkey vultures and owls. The program is an activity of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Recently, the Raptor Rehabilitation Project has treated about 50 to 70 birds each year, while caring for its permanent residents and educating the public. The project's release rate is higher than the national average.

Currently, about 50 veterinary students and community members help with the program. The veterinary students are involved in the medical care and rehabilitation of the birds, but community members can assist with feeding, cleaning and public education programs. Edwards is a fisheries and wildlife major who wants to work in outreach education in the future.

"Public education with wildlife is something I wanted to do, but I didn't know how to do it. Then, someone invited me to get involved with raptor rehabilitation," she said. "I had done programs using stuffed mounts before, but I never had the chance to work with live birds until now."

Missourians who find an injured raptor should not attempt to approach or capture the bird. Instead, they should call the Raptor Rehabilitation Project at the MU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at (573) 882-7821.

Visit the College of Veterinary Medicine's website for more information about the Raptor Rehabilitation Project or its Adopt a Raptor program.

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Last Update: November 15, 2007