The Very Unofficial Page of
The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program
Fort Collins, Colorado
Area under construction!
The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program is a center for the
rehabilitation of
injured birds of prey. It is located behind Colorado State University's
Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. The
philosophy of the program is that life in the wild is better than
life in captivity.
We are dedicated to providing medical care, rehabilitation and release
to injured birds of prey and environmental education for the
public.The program is
run almost entirely by volunteers, which come from the surrounding
communities and as far away as Denver and Cheyenne. Each year the
approximately 150 volunteers treat almost 200 injured birds from all
over the country, including (recently) Alaska. The birds range from
the tiny Pygmy owl to the large bald eagles.
We reply on individual contributions of both time and funds to
succeed. Every dollar generously given and every hour contributed to
our program directly aids in the rehabilitation of birds of
prey.
Can I Volunteer?
Yes, you can! The
RMRP welcomes everybody. The only qualification is a willingness to work
hard and a dedication to the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent during
training and work sessions. What can I do? Whatever
your talent or interest, the RMRP needs you. Volunteers provide medical
care to the birds, present environmental education presentations and
exhibits, and participate in facility maintenance, office operations,
and fund raising.
Each volunteer must go
through a training program to learn how to handle and care for the
birds with safety for both the birds and the handlers as the top priority.
Progression through the training program depends on your availability and
schedule. Training techniques are designed to be the most efficient and
safest way of handling potentially dangerous birds. All levels of training
stress interpretation of bird behavior and overall health, and potential
emergency situations. The
training program is a four-step process - (1) cleaning/feeding, (2) handling
educational birds, (3) treating injured (active case) birds, and then (4)
handling and treating eagles. It usually takes several years to finish all
the levels. For more about the training program, look here. Volunteers work one of several
"shifts" - AM shift at 7am, PM shift at 4pm (winter) or 5pm (summer), or ELC
(Environmental Learning Center). Also, there is a mandatory
meeting called "Rounds" every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm.
New volunteers
are always welcome, and a new volunteer
orientation is held the first Tuesday of every fourth month. Interested
people should
contact the center and let them know that you will be attending. The
number to call is (970) 491-0398.
Watch for us at the Renaissance
Festival in Larkspur, Colorado this summer!
The Educational Birds
The
Adopt-A-Raptor Program
Environmental
Education by the RMRP
The Birds of Prey class
The Second Chance at Freedom annual
auction
A Rehabbers Prayer
Heavenly Father I ask Thee
to guide my hands this day,
To carry the weak, heal the sick
I take home with me today
This little helpless
creature
that depends on me for
life
doesn't understand my feelings
as I stand in vigil hours
waiting for some sign of life
Grant me wisdom and mercy
as I do right by them today
oh, Lord forgive my lack of knowledge
I do the best I can, I pray
Thank you Lord, for this small life
I hold now in my hand,
that You will show him mercy
and allow him to survive.
Amen
- Joan Holland, The Country Lady
Montgomery,
AL
(reproduced by
permission)
LINKS:
What To Do If You Find An Injured Raptor
This page is being developed and maintained by Sharon Hartshorn, a
student at Colorado State
University and a volunteer at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.
Comments and suggestions are welcomed.
This page is my own creation, done by me out
of my love for the raptors at the RMRP and my own freedom of expression.
PLEASE! Send me your comments about this page... I would like to collect them
here.
Please
Send Your Comments
