The Carolina Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of birds of prey. Located in Huntersville, North Carolina, the Raptor Center provides care to injured and orphaned raptors, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. The Carolina Raptor Center also aims to educate the public about raptor species and their importance to the environment through educational programs, tours, and field trips.
Mission and History
The mission of the Carolina Raptor Center is to inspire everyone to care about birds of prey and the natural world. The Raptor Center was founded in 1981 by Jim Warren, a graduate student studying raptor rehabilitation. After rehabilitating and releasing several injured hawks and owls back to the wild, Warren saw the need for a permanent facility focused on raptor conservation. With support from the community, Warren established the Carolina Raptor Center on a three-acre plot of land in Huntersville.
Over the past 40 years, the Raptor Center has grown tremendously and now encompasses 18 acres of forest and wetlands. The facilities include flight cages, conditioning pens, a veterinary hospital, education building, and nature trails. The Raptor Center has a dedicated staff of veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and educators. As many as 200 raptors are cared for annually at the Center. About half of the birds admitted are successfully rehabilitated and released back into their natural habitats. The rest remain at the Center as resident birds due to permanent injuries.
Raptor Rescue and Rehabilitation
The primary work of the Carolina Raptor Center is rescuing and rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned raptors. The Center has permits from state and federal agencies to care for native raptor species. Members of the public often bring raptors in need of help to the Raptor Center. Injured birds are also transported from wildlife agencies and animal control centers in the region.
Common causes of injury and illness in raptors include:
– Vehicle collisions
– Powerline electrocution
– Gunshot wounds
– Poisoning
– Nest displacement
– Territorial fights
When a raptor is admitted to the Center, it undergoes an initial veterinary exam. Treatment may involve wound care, medications, fluids, and nutritional support. The bird is moved to an outdoor cage or enclosure for rehabilitation once stable. The goal is to allow the raptor to rebuild flight muscles and stamina before being released. The time spent in rehabilitation ranges from several weeks to several months depending on the severity of injury and species of raptor.
The Carolina Raptor Center has successfully rehabilitated and released thousands of hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, vultures, and other raptors back to the wild over the past 40 years. However, not every raptor can be returned to its natural habitat. Those with permanent disabilities are given a permanent home at the Raptor Center in large outdoor enclosures or flight cages.
Education and Outreach Programs
A core part of the Carolina Raptor Center’s mission is educating the public about raptor conservation. The Center offers a variety of educational programs and activities for visitors:
Raptor Encounters
These 30-minute live bird programs introduce visitors to a few of the Center’s resident raptors. Knowledgeable staff provide interesting facts about each bird’s natural history, anatomy, hunting adaptations, and more. Popular program birds include red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, American kestrels, turkey vultures, and barred owls. Raptor encounters take place daily in the Center’s outdoor amphitheater.
Birds of Prey Shows
For these in-depth programs, a trained handler brings out multiple raptor species while an educator shares details about raptor biology, life histories, and conservation. Audience members may even see live flight demonstrations. Birds of prey shows are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
Guided Tours
Daily guided tours provide guests with the opportunity to walk through the Center’s animal enclosures with an experienced guide. Visitors can observe the raptors up close and may even watch a feeding demonstration. The hour-long walking tours offer fantastic views of hawks, falcons, owls, eagles, and vultures.
Nature Trails
The Raptor Center has nearly a mile of wooded nature trails winding through the property. Interpretive signs provide facts about local flora, fauna, and wildlife. The trails offer opportunities to watch wildlife and view outdoor raptor enclosures along the paths.
Field Trips
The Raptor Center provides environmental education programs for school groups, youth organizations, summer camps, and more. Students can participate in grade-specific workshops highlighting raptor adaptations, food chains, habitat needs, and conservation. Interactive classroom lessons are combined with outdoor exploration of the nature trails and raptor enclosures.
Resident Raptors
The Carolina Raptor Center is home to around 20 resident raptors that serve as wildlife ambassadors. These birds have permanent injuries or disabilities that prevent them from surviving in the wild. Caring for non-releasable raptors provides the Center opportunities for conservation education and research. Meet a few of the Center’s resident raptors:
Ruby the Bald Eagle
Ruby was brought to the Raptor Center as a nestling in 2005 after her nest tree was cut down. She sustained nerve damage to one of her wings during her fall, preventing her release. As a juvenile, Ruby was selected to participate in the Center’s bald eagle restoration program. She traveled to Wisconsin where she hatched and raised 11 eaglets that were reintroduced to the wild. Ruby returned to the Carolina Raptor Center in 2015 after her breeding tenure ended. This majestic bald eagle serves as an impressive wildlife ambassador.
Stokes the Peregrine Falcon
Stokes was transferred to the Raptor Center in 2008 after sustaining a right eye injury caused by a territorial dispute with another falcon. His damaged eye does not allow him to judge distances accurately, limiting his ability to catch prey. Despite being visually impaired, Stokes is an agile flier. His top speed diving in pursuit of lures is estimated at 70 miles per hour!
Rosie the Great Horned Owl
Rosie is a longtime wildlife ambassador, having lived at the Carolina Raptor Center since 1992. She arrived at the facility with an injured left wing that never properly healed. Rosie’s calm, tolerant demeanor makes her an ideal bird for classroom programs and events. Her large eyes and prominent ear tufts exemplify the unique adaptations of owls.
Apache the Red-Tailed Hawk
Apache came to the Raptor Center in 1995 after being found shot in the wing. He underwent several surgeries to try to repair the damage but was left unable to fly well enough to survive in the wild. Apache’s outgoing, social personality delights visitors. When he’s not making public appearances, Apache enjoys spending time outdoors sunning himself on his perch.
Facilities and Location
The Carolina Raptor Center’s 18-acre campus is located at 6000 Sample Road in Huntersville, North Carolina. The Center is approximately 15 miles north of downtown Charlotte. Facilities include:
– Education Building with classrooms, exhibit hall and auditorium
– Nature trails winding through forest and wetlands
– Outdoor raptor enclosures, mews and flight cages
– Conditioning and exercise pens
– Veterinary hospital and clinic with ICU, surgery suite, and x-ray room
– Raptor housing with indoor mews for each resident bird
– Training and work areas
– Songbird aviaries
– Gift shop and observation areas for the public
The Raptor Center’s grounds provide natural habitat ideal for native raptor species. The combination of wetlands, open fields and forest resemble the diverse ecosystems where these birds live in the wild throughout North Carolina and beyond. Hiking the trails, one is likely to glimpse wild raptors, songbirds and other native wildlife.
Hours of Operation
The Carolina Raptor Center is open daily except major holidays:
Monday – Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
The Raptor Center is accessible for those with disabilities and mobility challenges. Paved walkways connect key areas of the facility and accessible viewing locations allow all visitors to observe the avian residents. Service animals are welcome on the grounds and within buildings.
How to Visit
The Carolina Raptor Center welcomes individuals and groups for educational, fun and memorable visits. Below are some tips for your trip:
General Admission
Entry tickets may be purchased at the door upon arrival. Ticket prices are:
– Adults (ages 13+): $13
– Youth (ages 3-12): $9
– Children 2 and under are free
Discount tickets can be found on the Raptor Center’s website. General admission includes access to all exhibits, nature trails, viewing areas and the gift shop. Guided walking tours are available for an additional $3 per person.
Educational Programs
From Raptor Encounters to full-day summer camps, the Carolina Raptor Center offers diverse environmental education programs for all ages. School field trips, scout workshops, birthday parties and team building activities can also be scheduled. Browse program options and make reservations on the website.
Special Events
Seasonal happenings like Raptorthon fundraisers, the Fall Festival and Spring Fling celebrations are open to the public. The events calendar on the Raptor Center’s website has details on upcoming special events.
Getting There
The Carolina Raptor Center is a short 15 minute drive from downtown Charlotte, located at 6000 Sample Road in Huntersville, NC 28078. Free on-site parking is available. Those relying on public transportation can take the Huntersville Express bus from the Northcross shopping center park and ride location.
Nearby Attractions
Make a day of your visit by combining a trip to the Raptor Center with other nearby attractions, including:
– Latta Nature Preserve – hiking, fishing, canoeing
– North Mecklenburg Park – trails, playground, athletic fields
– Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course – ziplines and aerial obstacles
– Frank Liske Park – disc golf, picnic areas, gymnasium
– Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge – walking trails, wildlife viewing
How to Support the Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center provides life-saving care to hundreds of birds of prey each year. This important work is made possible by volunteers, memberships, donations, grants and other community support. Here are some ways you can support raptor conservation through the Center:
Become a Member
Annual memberships provide critical operating funds for the Raptor Center’s programs. Member benefits include unlimited free admission, program discounts, gift shop savings and invitations to special events.
Make a Donation
One-time or recurring tax-deductible donations from individuals directly support the Raptor Center’s wildlife rehabilitation work. Donations can be made online, by mail or over the phone. Consider designating a gift in honor or memory of a loved one.
Symbolically Adopt a Resident Raptor
Adoption packages allow supporters to symbolically adopt one of the Center’s resident raptors. Adoptions make great gifts for raptor enthusiasts. Adopters receive a photo and certificate, adoption pin, fact sheet and updates on their sponsored bird.
Sponsor a Raptor Enclosure
Businesses, groups and individuals can sponsor the construction and maintenance of one of the Center’s raptor enclosures or mews. Sponsors are recognized with a plaque by the enclosure for the duration of the 3-year sponsorship.
Shop at the Nature’s Way Gifts Store
Purchases made at the Raptor Center’s gift store support the organization’s operations. The store carries unique nature and raptor-themed gifts, apparel, toys, home décor and more. Online shopping is also available.
Volunteer Your Time and Talents
The Carolina Raptor Center relies on volunteers to feed birds, provide medical care, maintain facilities, educate visitors and more. Individual and group volunteers are vital to the success of the Center.
Conclusion
For over 40 years, the Carolina Raptor Center has inspired appreciation and advocated for the conservation of birds of prey and the natural world. At its core, the Raptor Center saves and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned raptors while educating the public about these remarkable birds. Supporting the Carolina Raptor Center through membership, donations, gifts, sponsorships and volunteering enables their life-saving work to continue. A trip to the Raptor Center provides a memorable and moving experience where visitors see raptor species up close and learn about their importance to our ecosystems. If you want to see eagles soar, vultures glide, owls peer, and falcons dive, plan a visit to the Carolina Raptor Center!