Education and Rehabilitation are the Cornerstones of our Work
At the Black Hills Raptor Center, we champion the protection of native raptors and conservation of their natural habitats through education, rescue, and rehabilitation.
Education is a cornerstone of our work at the Raptor Center. Helping children grasp the need for raptors at an early age means that more raptors will be protected by these same children in the future. We can dream of a day when there are no poisoned, shot, electrocuted, or car struck raptors. When children learn of the issues facing the beautiful birds, they are willing to help prevent unnecessary deaths.
You too can help. The next building on our campus will take us past rescue and stabilization of the injured, and allow us to provide full rehabilitation services. The building is approximately 3000 square feet in size. It includes an Intensive Care Unit, exam & radiology suite; laboratory for testing situations like possible lead poisoning or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; isolation & quarantine rooms; a power wash bay; food preparation area; office; and training room for volunteers.
Since the late autumn of 2010, we have helped 915 injured or orphaned birds, most of them raptors. At this time, we stabilize the injured; provide basic care and food; and arrange transportation to a licensed rehabilitator elsewhere in South Dakota.
The advantages to the bird to be in one rehabilitation location are immense. They heal more quickly; endure less stress; and can be more readily returned to the wild from where they were rescued. Additionally, the BHRC spends more of its resources on bird treatment and care, and less on volunteer mileage. Our volunteers would far rather help birds at home then travel with them across the state.
If you prefer to donate through the mail, please send a check to BHRC, PO Box 48, Caputa SD 57725
Thank you for helping more birds fly free!