Volunteering at the Alaska Raptor Rehab Center
Feb 21st, 2010 by lapazfarm
So, as I’ve been saying, the kiddos and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to volunteer our time at the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center, which happens to be right here in beautiful Sitka.
Though the center treats, rehabilitates, and releases as many birds as possible, some birds are too badly injured to ever be released. Those become permanent residents at the center or are placed elsewhere.
This bald eagle is a permanent resident. These birds are so huge and so gorgeous.
So is this Golden Eagle.
And this Great Horned Owl.
Our first day volunteering was spent helping out by rolling up, packaging, and pricing posters for the gift shop.
That wasn’t the most thrilling job, but we knew we were helping out where needed, so that’s ok.
The next day was more exciting!
JBug got to help clean the kennels in the eagle ICU.
And feed some potatoes to some mealworms (which in turn were fed to Katy kestral. YUM!)
Here is a look at the diets of some of the larger birds, like hawks and eagles. Looks like it’s salmon and venison for dinner! The smaller birds get mice, rats, and quail. Tasty!
Superboy was very happy with his task for the day. He got to do what every boy loves–
burning brush! Woo hoo! If it involves fire, Superboy is happy!
I think I was the luckiest of all. I got to go in and clean the bald eagle flight training enclosure! It is a huge, open-air enclosure with natural perches, a stream running through it, and 6 0r 8 huge bald eagles flying around inside. This is only one small corner:
(You can see a young eagle up on a perch way up high there.)
It was awesome to be in there with the eagles flying right over my head!
So after 2 hours of hosing down eagle poop, scrubbing and disinfecting perches, and picking up and weighing leftover salmon bits (they keep very close track of the diets of these birds)…
I got to feed the eagles!!! And what do they eat? Salmon, of course! Truly a meal fit for these regal birds.
I felt very privileged to be in the presence of these beautiful animals and to take a small part in their care and rehabilitation, let me tell you!
In fact, we all left with a warm feeling of accomplishment for a job well done!
Definitely looking forward to next week when we can do it all again!
What a wonderful way to spend your time
. I’m an owl person myself. I love owls – though unfortunately I’m allergic to animals so working with them wouldn’t be a great idea. (And yes, pretty much all mammals and birds to some extent, though I’m usually OK with cats unless they are very fluffy. I grew up on a farm so it wasn’t the most convenient allergy. I spent my childhood dosed up on antihistamines.)
Wow, what an opportunity! I’ll bet you all really enjoyed helping out.
what an amazing experience!
How neat!
Awesome! Trev says all the time that one of his jobs is going to be “a bird zoo-keeper”.
I’m sure we’ll be volunteering in a few years!
Loving your pictures. I was lucky to travel to Alaska in September on a cruise/train trip. It is a beautiful place and I can understand why you wanted to move back. All the best on your re-relocation.
Oh I would love that! What a great opportunity!
It does sound like such an amazing opportunity! I am so happy for you all! I’ve asked a few places about my daughter volunteering, and so far they say she is too young. (She’s 9 and really wants to work with animals.) Maybe we’ll figure something out soon!
Anyway, I enjoyed your photos and reading about how you and your children are helping out with these amazing birds!
We’re doing something similar on a smaller scale. We’ve been volunteering once a week, taking care of two owls, a red tail hawk and assorted reptiles who are permanant residents at a nearby conservation center. It’s been a great experience.
That flight enclosure is awesome!
Dana, keep asking around – I took a chance for my then 11 year old daughter. I asked if we could come volunteer if I was going to be there with her, and I highlighted my own animal care experience. We wouldn’t be able to work with any of the domestic animal rescues in our area, but the small conservation center was open to the idea.
My 14 year old son was just going to hang out, but ended up looking after the songbird feeders. He’s not so keen on dealing with the mice and rats for the big birds. LOL.