Bird-of-Prey Exhibits and Eagle Aviary
Judging from the attendance of the Center’s Bird-of-prey Programs, we expect the next phase of our expansion to be a very popular attraction. A new walkway near the River Valley Wolf Habitat will lead our visitors through a journey that brings them face-to-face with hawks, owls and the majestic bald eagle. The bald eagle enclosure will simulate a cliffside overlooking a small pond as highlighted in the rendering below. The Center plans to create three smaller exhibits that will allow our guests to view and learn about the raptors utilized in the presentations. All of the birds-of-prey residing at the Center had to be removed from the wild because of injury or abandonment at a young age.
The associated educational message will explore how the presence of bears and wolves in an ecosystem can influence raptor populations. In addition, interpretive materials will explain the historical turbulent relationship between raptors and man, and the current progress in conserving these magnificent species. As of September 2009, the plans have been completed and construction had started. We anticipate that the exhibit will be finished by the fall of 2011.
