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Rehabilitation
"The Ridge,"
as it is commonly called by volunteers, houses our Intensive Care  Unit (ICU) and
outdoor flight cages. Here, under the supervision of the WVRRC Director of
Operations, Center volunteers attend to the daily needs of our injured
residents. Duties primarily include feeding, cleaning, and medicating as
necessary. Our rehabilitation staff consists of volunteers from all walks of
life, not just wildlife and animal science students or experts.
The WVRRC
rehabilitates all raptor species (hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and
vultures). Injuries are quite varied and may require the birds to stay at our
facility for a few days, weeks, or even months. The most common species
admitted to the WVRRC is the Eastern Screech-Owl, followed closely by the
Red-tailed Hawk. Most birds are admitted because of an impact injury,
usually caused by a moving vehicle. Veterinary staff members generously
give their time and resources for the rehabilitation effort. Most birds
are initially housed in the ICU until they are strong enough to be moved into
a flight cage. The final stage before release is the test flight to
insure the strength and ability of the bird. Non-releasable birds stay at the
Center and are used in conjunction with our environmental education programs or are transferred to
other permitted facilities. Our raptor
disposition reports, show our yearly statistics about the kinds of birds
we treat, our success rates, and more.
 All birds of prey
play a vital role within our ecosystem. Raptors control pest outbreaks in
both agricultural and urban settings by preying on insects, rodents, and
abundant pest bird species. Being the typical opportunistic
hunters/predators, raptors will cull the weak or sick from a
population, as well as prey on the most abundant species. Sharing the top of
the food chain with humans, they help provide us with early warnings to
subtle, as well as dramatic changes, to the earth’s ecosystem. All living
things, including humans, depend on the quality resources of this planet for
survival. Also the mystique associated with these solitary predators, usually
observed only from a great distance, only enhances the questions we have
regarding their physical attributes and beauty.
What to do if you find an injured raptor
See some of our patients in the photo
gallery
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