“We do two things — we are primarily wildlife education and we’re wildlife rehabilitation that’s focusing on raptors,” said Betty Ross, director of the Raptor Center.
While the birds that are being rehabilitated are not open for public view, the permanent residents form a U-shape around the center for all to see during their trip to Antioch’s Glen Helen Nature Preserve. The area is open all year long with 15 different species on display.
“The permanent residents that we have are used for education and are all handicapped birds,” Ross said. “They are the ones that we use for programs, (because) they are the only ones that we keep.”
The birds on display at Glen Helen include Barn owls, great-horned owls, falcons, hawks, vultures and a bald eagle.
“I like that they are using the healing of birds as an educational experience,” said Eric Jensen, a senior from Wright State University who said he has visited the Center several times. “I consider myself to be a bird enthusiast.”
The Raptor Center is able to rehabilitate around 150 to 200 birds a year, which is generally made up of 14 to 18 different species. Interns are assigned to a bird cage each to care for the bird or birds residing inside. No volunteers are used because the care needs to be by someone with experience, according to Ross.
The area surrounding the Raptor Center has just been redone this past year and the caging for the permanent residents is now complete. Ross said new signs are being created with more information about the birds cared for and their history.
The Raptor Center is hosting an Earth Day Open House April 19. There is no charge for the event and the rehab center will be open, should there be a bird or a few that are ready to be released. The event will take place in the early afternoon around 1 p.m.
Donations, and some program fees are what make the Raptor Center what it is today, according to Ross. There are immediate needs that include food and funds to cover housing costs. Another option is to “adopt” one of the permanent residents. Those who adopt agree to pay $100 a year, which includes a personalized certificate, a photo of the adopted pet, a sign at the bird’s cage and the opportunity to visit.
For more information, call 937-767-7648 or visit http://glen.antiochcollege.org/.
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