Birds of Prey Foundation Provides Second Chance for Sick and Injured Raptors

By Kristen Beckman

Last April, an injured Golden Eagle got a second chance at freedom thanks to the work of a Broomfield organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. The eagle was suffering nerve damage in one of her legs that prevented her from opening her foot or using it in any way, including to hunt, which left her starving.

Under the care of the Birds of Prey Foundation, the eagle was fitted with a brace to hold her foot open, which helped her start to use her leg and foot again. She was eventually released back into the wild fully healthy and is now part of a study to track the survival of Golden Eagles after rehabilitation.

Karen Mack Photography

This eagle was one of 738 animals admitted to the Birds of Prey Foundation last year. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has treated more than 16,000 birds since it was founded in 1980.

Sigrid Ueblacker founded the Birds of Prey Foundation after her daughter Elke brought her an orphaned starling, the first of several neighborhood birds Ueblacker would care for. After receiving a rehabilitation permit from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Ueblacker began caring for dozens of birds in her home and backyard. In 1984, the rescue and rehabilitation operation moved to a parcel of land on Rock Creek Farm.

Today, the foundation cares primarily for raptors from all over Colorado and neighboring states, including hawks, falcons, and owls, as well as vultures, pelicans, and ravens. Many of the foundation’s patients come in with broken bones, concussions or damage to their eyes, ears or feathers, and most of those injuries are a result of accidental or intentional human interference, said Andrea Lutz, Birds of Prey Foundation educational coordinator. Collisions with cars, windows, barbed wire, and power lines are common causes of injury, and some birds come in with diseases or after being shot or poisoned. In some cases, young birds have been taken from their nest and have severe nutritional deficiencies.

The foundation provides round-the-clock care and maintains large flight areas to give sick and injured birds a second chance at freedom. Its intensive care unit offers a full suite of diagnostic equipment, and it has a full surgical suite complete with anesthesia and several incubators that provide heat and oxygen to critical patients.

There are several ways to help the foundation, including donating items from its wishlist or funds for food, shelter, and medical care. The foundation also allows people to adopt a species or educational ambassador and receive a certificate.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN INJURED BIRD OF PREY

It is legal to capture and transport a raptor in order to get care for it, however it is illegal to keep it. The Birds of Prey Foundation has permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to possess and care for migratory birds.

If you find an injured bird of prey, call the foundation at 303-460-0674 and be prepared to answer some basic questions, including where the bird is, why you think the bird needs help, and whether it has any visible injuries. Rescuers might also want to know if the bird is moving and how close it will allow you to get to it. If possible, providing a picture of the bird can help them evaluate the situation.

Visit www.birds-of-prey.org for more information