Colorado State’s Raptor Program Open House Scheduled for May 14

Colorado State University’s Rocky Mountain Raptor Program will show a merlin, great horned owl, bald eagle, golden eagle, great horned owl, saw-whet owl, red-tailed hawk and other birds whose injuries won’t permit them to survive in the wild at an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 14.

The birds on display are permanently injured and part of the Raptor Center’s educational program. They are part of the center’s Adopt-a-Raptor program.

As part of the open house, visitors can tour the center, located north of Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 300 W. Drake Road in Fort Collins, and learn about the center’s work with injured birds of prey.

The staff, which consists almost entirely of volunteers, will discuss bird behavior and characteristics.

Volunteers also will explain about the volunteer program, environmental education presentations and public outreach exhibits.

Visitors also can view recent construction, including a new complex of seven small cages for permanently injured birds, a flight cage suitable for exercising small birds such as kestrels and screech owls that are being readied for release and an ongoing effort to add predator guards to the perimeter of the cages.

Raptor gift items will be available through the center’s gift shop.

Programs are designed for families, and refreshments will be served.

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program open house, call (970) 491-0398.