
A step closer to our raptor permits
We talked to our state representative earlier this afternoon. We should have our permit approval by tomorrow! They have been concerned about the missing eye of our red-tailed hawk and worried that people won’t understand why he couldn’t be released back into the wild. The concern was that the public would be anthropomorphic because people can survive just fine with one eye or missing limbs and such.
The problem for a raptor, however, is that they rely so heavily on their eyesight that releasing a one-eyed bird severely reduces their chance of survival. Not only do they have no depth perception to catch their prey, they are also completely blind on one side which leaves them easy targets for other predators.
Fortunately, our red-tail was given a second chance; he’s able to help people understand the difficulties of being a wild animal as well as teach them about the important role of predators in every ecosystem. It is a much better message and is more likely to leave a lasting impression when you see a live animal accompany the message.
We’re so excited that they should be here very soon!!!!
Written By
Melissa Hill
While earning her Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management at the University of Wyoming, Melissa began volunteering at Laramie Raptor Refuge and was instantly hooked on birds of prey. Since those early days, she has worked with nearly 70 different raptors at four different raptor education groups in three states. She is a former member of the Education Committee for the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) and a National Association for Interpretation's Certified Interpretive Guide. When she's not "playing with the birds" she enjoys spending time quilting, crocheting, and exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with her non-bird family.