Recycling for Raptors

Recently, TRC had some wonderful volunteers from the University of Phoenix help us create more kiosks for our Recycling for Raptors Program.  We are  grateful each day for all of the volunteers with such different skill sets and time they are willing to share with us.  Our shared goals of helping raptors, and for people to understand them, are met in so many ways. 

Our Recycling for Raptors program has collected over 8,600 used ink jet printer cartridges through the first 2.5 quarters of the year.  Last year they collected 13, 696.  We have a map of drop off locations, too. 

Together, we all can make a real difference for raptors.  Thank you to volunteers and our friends alike for their support. 

TRC featured in article on West Nile Virus

TRC Clinic Manager Lori Arent prepares a red-tailed hawk for a radiograph

The Raptor Center was recently featured in a Minnesota Daily article on West Nile.

New Dates for Wizarding World of Wildlife at TRC

Calling all young wizards and witches, aged 7-11! Our owls here at The Raptor Center are ready to send out a new batch of acceptance letters for our School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  After getting sorted into houses, first-year wizards will take courses in Herbology, Potions, and in the Care and Keeping of Magical Creatures. All students must pass their O.W.L.S. exam to receive their wands and become aurors, protecting Minnesota's wildlife from the Dark Arts.


Programs are Friday, October 26 from 5:00pm - 8:30pm and Sunday, October 28 from 12:30pm -4:00pm. You only register for one session. Cost is $30 per wizard. There are some take-home items and a snack included.
Registration is required in advance, and is open now. Please call 612-624-2756 or email raptored@umn.edu to reserve your place. We will need your child's name, age and an email address for a contact.

A Day in the Life of Whisper the Barn Owl

Whisper the barn owl educates many of the 150,000 members of the public we see each year.  Here she works with volunteer Claire Palmer. 

Because of the hard work, Whisper then enjoyed her lunch of a mouse.  She waits patiently for her food in this second photo. 

Our raptor diets are very carefully chosen - weight and the diet item itself - to make sure that our winged ambassadors stay healthy.  Their diet items are not given to them alive. 

Good to the last bite!

NPR Science Friday show on Raptor Biology

You might be interested in this recent NPR radio show on raptor biology. 

The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area near Boise, Idaho has one of the world’s highest concentrations of nesting raptors. Biologists studying the birds of prey in this part of the country join Ira Flatow.

It also includes a segment on California Condors and challenges from lead poisoning. 

National Eagle Center Celebrates 5 Years

This weekend, the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN is celebrating 5 Years. They held a Grand Opening of this landmark interpretive center on September 29th, 2007. To celebrate their 5th anniversary, they are offering special programs and events.

California Condor Release and TRC's Efforts

The Raptor Center is thrilled to share some successful news in the ongoing reintroduction efforts for the California Condor.  Three condors will be released tomorrow morning, Saturday, Sept 29, at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. 

This will be the 17th annual public release of condors in Arizona since the condor recovery program began in 1996. Condors are hatched and reared in captivity at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, and transported to Arizona for release to the wild.  Currently, 76 condors are in the wild rugged canyonlands of northern Arizona and southern Utah. The world’s total population of endangered California Condors is 416, with a total of 231 in the wild in Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico. Condors were reduced to just 22 individuals in the 1980s when the program was begun to save the species from extinction.

The Raptor Center is proud to say that we have a role in these important efforts.  In 1993, Dr. Patrick Redig, our co-founder and Director Emeritus, was appointed to the California Condor Recovery Team.  In November 2005, Condor #350, an 18-month-old bird, was injured near his home range on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and brought to The Raptor Center for treatment. He is one of only four condors that hatched and survived in the wild that year. Read more from a press release about this very special patient. 

This work that The Raptor Center does could not be accomplished without the support of our friends.  Please consider a gift to help us continue to make a difference.