Presenter Madison Hoffman introduces the audience to a beautiful barn owl and answers questions from the audience. She explained, “We feed as close to a natural diet for each species as we possibly can. We feed mouse, rat, rabbit, chicken, quail, chipmunk, squirrel, and prairie dog.”
Madison demonstrates the proper technique for working with a Broad Winged Hawk. These birds are relatively small. However, note the long, sharp talons on the protective leather Madison is wearing.
Madison with anAmerican Kestral, the smallest raptor in America. None of the birds the Black Hills Raptor Center works with are on the endangered species list. Learning to handle raptors requires training with an expert.
Belle Fourche Animal Control officer Clint Halverson found this injured turkey vulture earlier this month. (Photocourte.
“Raptors of South Dakota” was the theme for a presentation at the Belle Fourche Community Hall on June 20. A crowd of 194 attended the free event sponsored by the Belle Fourche Library.
Lucy Atwood and Madison Hoffman volunteer presenters from The Black Hills Raptor Center (BHRC) were available to share their expertise and knowledge of Raptors. Raptors are birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. South Dakota is home to 28 raptor species.
The mission of the BHRC is to champion the protection of native raptors and to conserve their natural habitats through education, rescue, and rehabilitation.
The Black Hills Raptor Center an all-volunteer organization founded by John Halverson and Maggie Engler in September 2010. According to director Maggie Engler “We rescue sick and injured birds, but we are not a sanctuary. We use live birds of prey for educational programs. We are working towards becoming a full-fledged permitted rehabilitation center for the US Fish & Wildlife Service.”
Funding comes from program fees, public events, grants, and private donors. In-kind contributions of material and labor have helped the center construct buildings to accommodate the birds.
Organizations may request a program through the website, www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer may fill out an application form also found on the website. The BHRC has an all-volunteer staff with approximately 75 volunteers. Volunteers often serve on teams such as education, participate in construction, bird chores, phone committee, and other groups as needed.
. The center is as much appreciated by the birds as the communities like Belle Fourche who want to protect and learn about them.
Earlier this month when Belle Fourche animal control officer, Clint Halvorson found an injured turkey vulture. He took it home to spend the night, then transported the bird to the Black Hills Raptor Center the following day. “We are thankful to have this amazing resource to help injured birds.” Said Nikki Hoyme, a Belle Fourche animal rescue activist. From the raptor center, the vulture was taken to a licensed raptor rehabilitator, Veterinarian Dr. Virginia Trexler-Myren. Unfortunately, the turkey vulture’s wing was not able to be repaired and the bird had to be euthanized.
A happier story involves ‘Mr. Eagle’. Mr. Eagle was hit by a trucker on highway 212. There was no cell service, but the trucker picked the bird up and put him in his semi. The trucker thought the eagle had died but when he stopped at a truck-stop in Belle Fourche, the eagle came to life. They called the police department and Clint Halverson was called out to get the eagle out of the semi. A volunteer from the raptor center who came out and took Mr. Eagle to the raptor center that night. Mr. Eagle had crop surgery and was released by Dr. Virginia at the end of April at the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge at the NE corner of South Dakota.
The Black Hills Raptor Center is located 4.5 miles east of the Rapid City Airport on East Highway 44. Although they are not open to the public, they are available for special events and emergencies.
