Issue

Being especially vulnerable to changes in their habitat, raptors are important indicators of the ecological health or decline of an area. They also play a key role in controlling rodent and small mammal populations in our ecosystem. As human activity continues to adversely impact wildlife habitats, raptors are increasingly falling victim to pesticide poisoning, vehicular impacts, wind turbines, and even climate change. The types of illness and injury that befall the raptors require highly specialized care if they are to stand a chance at recovery and release back into the wild.

Response

The California Raptor Center is an educational and research facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey (raptors). We take in 300-350 sick, injured, and orphaned raptors each year, successfully returning about 60% to the wild. We also provide hands-on training in the care and management of birds of prey to those interested in rehabilitation, and offer educational programs to schools, ecological and environmental organizations, and the university community.