BETHEL
JOURNAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
LIFE
PEOPLE | IDEAS | RECIPES
A juvenile red-tailed hawk rehabilitated by RAPTOR Inc. just before it was released back into the wild at Alms Park. The hawk was found injured on nearby Grandin Road.GLENN HARTONG/STAFF
ENRAPTURED BY RAPTORS By Jeanne Houck jhouck@communitypress.com
UNION TWP. — You could say patients are flocking to a new rehab center in the city. But you’d be a little off. That’s because the birds of prey being treated at RAPTOR (the Regional Association for the Protection and Treatment of Raptors) Inc. in Union Township aren’t flying there of their own winged accord. The hawks, owls, eagles and falcons are injured and concerned people are bringing them to the non-profit’s facility at 961 Barg Salt Run Road. RAPTOR Inc. moved to its Union Township location – which it bought in 2005 – next to the Cincinnati Nature Center at 949 Tealtown Road about a year ago. Before that it operated on Covered Bridge Road near the Winton Woods Park in Greenhills. “We are trying to get the word out so people know who to call when they find these injured birds and how we can be reached to provide outreach educational programs,” said Cindy Alverson of Loveland, executive director of RAPTOR Inc. The group has been treating and releasing birds of prey in the Greater Cincinnati area for 35 years. Some of the birds were hurt flying into windows. Others were entangled in fishing lines. “People who find injured birds of prey contact us and we are able to treat these birds with the help of veterinarians,” Alverson said. “In 2013 we have already admitted over 200 injured birds of prey. “On average RAPTOR admits 200 injured birds of prey annually,” Alverson said. Alverson said RAPTOR Inc. releases more than half the birds it treats. Which brings us to the second mission of RAPTOR Inc.:
Cindy Alverson, executive director of RAPTOR Inc., releases a red-tailed hawk in Lebanon. PROVIDED
This American kestrel is used by RAPTOR Inc. for educational programs.
RAPTOR Inc. operates out of this facility in Union Township.JEANNE HOUCK/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
community education. Besides treating injured and orphaned raptors the group presents educational programs at schools, libraries, community events and scout functions. That’s when some raptors that cannot be released get into the act. “If the raptors are unable to be returned to the wild they sometimes can be used for education ambassadors,” Alverson said. “We have 10 at our facility and often we transfer non-releasable birds to other facilities who have need of birds to be
RAPTOR Inc. presents live birds of prey at the Cincinnati Nature Center.PROVIDED
used in educational programs.” Alverson said RAPTOR Inc. moved to Union Township because it needed to expand. “We needed space for rehabilitation where volunteers could come and work,” Alverson said. “RAPTOR Inc. always had a goal to have a facility with a huge flight cage so we would be able to provide flight conditioning for the species of birds such as peregrines and eagles, which
need large cages to condition in before release.” RAPTOR Inc. is supported by membership fees, grants and contributions for educational presentations. “We are always looking for donations or sponsorships to help support our rehabilitation efforts,” Alverson said. “With additional funds we plan to develop an educational center open to the public where they can come and view the
birds up close. “This work is important so people can learn about these birds and their part in their environment,” Alverson said. “Once they have this understanding they are more protective about these birds and (interested in) how they can help.” For more information about RAPTOR Inc. call 825-3325 or visit www.raptorinc.org. Cory Wright, assistant Union Township administrator, said RAPTOR Inc. is a much-appreciated member of the community. “They have successfully rehabilitated many animals and they are certainly a welcome addition to the community - from both a wildlife conservation perspective as well as an educational perspective,” Wright said. For more about your community, visit www.Cincinnati.com/ UnionTownship.