Raptor Chapter Inc

WHILE THESE BIRDS ARE PROTECTED, NO AGENCY SUPPORT FUNDS THESE ACTIVITIES THE CARING OF INJURED BIRDS AND IS OFTEN LEFT TO PRIVATE CHARITIES. ANNUALLY WE TREAT 100-150 INJURED WILD RAPTORS ADMITTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND STATE AGENCIES IN NEED OF OUR MEDICAL AND HOUSING SERVICES. WHEN WE (DON AND JANE VELTKAMP, VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS) ARE OFF- SITE, WE HIRE HELP TO CARE FOR THE BIRDS OF PREY IN OUR CARE. THESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION AS WELL AS TRAINING AND ARE OFFERED A SMALL STIPEND.MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS GO ON 365 DAYS A YEAR AS WE CARE FOR THE UP TO 50 RAPTORS, KEEP RECORDS, RESPOND TO EMERGENCY CALLS. DAILY FOOD PREPARATION, FEEDING AND FOOD PROCUREMENT ARE REQUIRED FOR THESE SPECIAL PREDATORY BIRDS OF PREY. OBTAINING PREDATORY THE BIRD FOOD SUPPLY IS CRITICAL. SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCREASE EACH YEAR TO MEET PUBLIC DEMANDS AND BIRDS ADMITTED. EACH YEAR MORE EDUCATIONAL BIRDS ARE ADDED TO OUR TEACHING TEAM AND THE REQUEST FOR OUR UNIQUE PROGRAMS CONTINUES. IT IS YET TO BE DETERMINED HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE INSPIRED TO CONSERVE THESE MAGNIFICENT BIRDS OF PREY AND HOW MANY OF OUR REHABILITATED PATIENTS RETURNED TO THE WILD TO LIVE ALONG LIFE. WHILE INTANGIBLE TO PREDICT THE RESULTS, THE WORK IS SO VERY MEANINGFUL TO CHILDREN AND BIRDS. INCREASING REQUESTS FOR OUR UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OCCUR EACH YEAR. WHILE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE INSPIRED TOWARDS RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND HOW MANY RAPTORS RETURNED TO THE WILD LIVE LONG, IT IS A WORTHWHILE MISSION. WE ALSO OFFER PUBLIC TOURS OF THE FACILITY AND EDUCATE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR ABOUT RAPTOR CONSERVATION. WE ALSO TRAVEL TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND OTHER PUBLIC VENUES WITH TRAINED LIVE EAGLES, HAWKS, OWLS, FALCONS, AND OSPREYS TO FURTHER EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT RAPTOR CONSERVATION.