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Raptor Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation cell phone is 605-381-9707
Wildlife Experiences holds federal permits from the US Fish & Wildlife Service that allow us to accept migratory birds, especially birds of prey, that are injured and in need of care.
We take in an average of 50-75 injured and orphaned birds of prey each year.
The goal of our program is to return these birds to the wild, where they can once again become members of wild breeding populations.
Unfortunately, many of these birds come in to our program due to problems encountered with humans. Some suffer fractured bones or eye injuries due to collisions with vehicles. Others are victims of poisoning or gunshot wounds. All of them are brought to us by the public or Wildlife Conservation Officers.
Our hours:
Labor Day to about May 1: usually 8am-4pm seven days a week
May 1-Labor Day: usually 7am-7pm seven days a week
If you find an injured hawk, eagle, owl or vulture:
- Note day, time, place and what the bird was doing when you first observed it.
- Pick up the bird (without risking injury to yourself – they are powerful birds, and will attack especially if they think they are going to be eaten by another predator; in this case, you.)
- try to grab the birds’ legs where they join its body with one hand. This will help you keep their talons away from you and give you more control.
- Use your second hand to gently guide the wings into the bird’s body, using common sense if the bird has suffered a wing injury.
- Oftentimes putting a coat or old towel completely over the bird will calm it so you can more easily pick it up.
- Put it in a box or other container that gives the bird shelter and darkness but allows air passage.
- Call our rehab cell phone 605-381-9707 to notify us that you are bringing in a bird.
- If you don’t get an answer, leave a message! We check the phone regularly throughout our work day.
- We will ask you a couple questions, referencing the species of bird and they type of injury you noticed.
- If you don’t know the species, giving us an approximate size will help us get the correct size carrier ready for the patient.
- When you arrive, we will ask you to assist our efforts by answering a few questions that are recorded for the bird’s medical records.
PLEASE DO NOT:
- Take the bird home with you. To do so is a violation of the laws that protect wildlife.
- Instead call the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department (605-394-2391 M-F 8am-5pm) or contact your local Wildlife Conservation Officer (he or she can typically be reached through your county sheriff’s dispatcher). The GFP personnel often prefer to get the bird from you and bring it to us.
- Administer any sort of food, water or first aid to the patient
- Allow children or pets to come close to the patient while it is with you.
- Allow loud noises or voices close to where the bird is. The bird is in pain and likely shock, and any extra stress decreases its chances of recovery.
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