Page 48 - Allisons Magazine Issue #91

CRC insists that the term “bird-brain” is simply
a myth, and that most raptor species, including
vultures, actually possess an intelligence level
comparable to a toddler—a surprising fact for
most visitors.

CRC has come a long way from its of the smartest species of birds), and step
early days at the nature preserve, where through a forest of owls.
obstacles like no water or electricity
made it di!cult to operate on an as- In addition to daily exhibits, CRC
normal basis. But by 1985, the center o$ers special weekend programs that
welcomed its "ve-hundredth patient, put visitors in the center of the action.
and the goal for a visitor center and One of the most exciting programs, held
more permanent treatment facilities during the summer months, is Raptor © John Huneycutt © Olivia Jefferson © John Huneycutt
was realized. Encounters, which, according to
Miller Houck, is among the most round to encourage future generations things like soccer nets,” Miller Houck that ‘wow’ factor people really get when
#e overarching mission of CRC—to popular. Visitors can walk side by side to care about raptor conservation and says. “Something we like to tell people we %y the birds,” Miller Houck says.
rescue and rehabilitate raptors—has with caretakers as they deliver food to protection. #rough its For a Day is that we all grew up thinking that if
remained constant, but associate the raptors, get a behind-the-scenes experiences, CRC puts kids in the shoes something is biodegradable we can just Part of this process will be adding on
executive director Michele Miller Houck look at some of the %ight shows, and of a center employee—be it a keeper, toss it out the window, but that brings to the visitor experience with a brand
says that, in the more than forty years uncover the mysteries of the often veterinarian, or photographer—learning rodents and other small animals to the new facility. Over the next year, CRC
since its inception, there has been misunderstood vulture. the ins and outs of the job. sides of the road and, in turn, raptors.” will join forces with the Mecklenburg
enormous progress made in education County Park and Recreation Center
as well. “Our stated mission was the To see just how smart these animals are, FASCINATION AND PRESERVATION #ough 70 percent of raptors brought and Quest Adventure Center to open a
conservation of raptors, but we are however, guests need to come back in #ough humans have undoubtedly held to the center survive through the "rst 13,000-square-foot nature conservancy.
really evolving to instill wonder in the the fall, winter, or spring, when CRC a fascination with birds for thousands of twenty-four hours after injury, the #is new location will include a new-
natural world and engaging visitors in hosts a program on vulture feedings. years, misunderstanding them has also nearly twenty thousand birds that have and-improved raptor trail, along with
our mission,” she says. Education is “Vulture feedings are really cool,” caused huge issues for raptor species, come through CRC over the years many new exhibits.
now a large part of what CRC does— Miller Houck says. “Vultures are some especially in North America, where are proof of the severity of the danger
with numerous exhibits and programs of the smartest animals there are, so practices like environmental destruction, raptors are in. “All of these things that Miller Houck reveals the creative
dedicated to not only inspiring curiosity they need enrichment activities on a hunting, and over"shing are detrimental we do to connect people to the birds platform for the new facility: the ways
about these birds but also reducing the daily basis. In the feeding program, we to avian populations. are learning opportunities to promote in which birds have inspired humans
number of raptor injuries in the wild highlight some of these activities like action and make people more aware of for thousands of years—in art, science
caused by humans. placing their food into pumpkins during © John Huneycutt #e medical facilities at CRC admit their behaviors,” she encourages. religion, culture, and so on. With a
Halloween.” CRC insists that the term between eight hundred and one renewed sense of purpose in caring
AN ENCOUNTER WITH A RAPTOR “bird-brain” is simply a myth, and that thousand birds of prey each year, Forging a connection between human for these species, CRC hopes to meet
Similar to a zoo, CRC has multiple most raptor species, including vultures, making it one of the largest facilities of fascination with birds and the ability people on a level of understanding and
walking trails with both enclosed and actually possess an intelligence level its kind in the world. Among the most to care for them is what CRC is all "nd common ground in the captivation
walk-through exhibits that delve into comparable to a toddler—a surprising common injuries are being hit by a car, about, and that starts with an emphasis of %ight—a fascination that can help
the environment of some of the resident fact for most visitors. gunshot wounds, and other injuries on making the visitor experience protect these birds for generations
raptors. With more than thirty species related to human habitation. “We see a memorable. “We talk a lot about this to come.
of raptors at the center, visitors can get Education for children is also of the fair number of injuries stemming from at CRC, but I am really interested in For more info, visit carolinaraptorcenter.org
an up-close view of nesting bald eagles, utmost importance, and both informal birds being caught in "shing lines and creating a couple di$erent kinds of
learn about the behavior of corvids (one and formal classes are o$ered all year barbed wire, as well as running into wonder in our guests—one of which is

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