Skip to content

Central Alberta wildlife centre needs help so raptors can soar again

Medicine River Wildlife Centre to build raptor flight compound
27900044_web1_190619-RDA-M-medicine-river-wildlife
Medicine River Wildlife Centre has plans to build a raptor flight compound. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Medicine River Wildlife Centre has plans to build a raptor flight compound and needs more donations to make it a reality.

“We raised the money and found the support last year to have a proper access road created, the ground prepared, and the many poles installed for this huge flight compound. This summer we are determined to complete the project,” said Medicine River.

The compound will be a space where birds of prey, like hawks, owls, eagles, and falcon, and exercise and regain their strength.

Related:

Injured owl gets treated at Medicine River Wildlife Centre

The wildlife hospital, located southwest of Spruce View, cares for more than 2,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year, including about 300 raptors.

During a winter storm in 2013, the roof on the centre’s aging flight compound collapsed, injuring two and killing two resident eagles.

After many years of preparing and planning, a new and more durable rehabilitation enclosure is ready to be built where recovering raptors can learn to fly again so they can be released back into the wild.

The compound will include eight cages under one roof, varying in sizes, to accommodate all raptors, from the tiny Pygmy and Saw-whet Owls, to the majestic Bald and Golden Eagles.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter