In the fall of 2004, when Hurricane Jean blew through central Florida it forced us to evacuate our home and raptor sanctuary for the sixth time that season. Two floods followed the storm and we decided it would be best to relocate somewhere north; preferably somewhere high and dry. After a little searching we chose Bulloch County Georgia because of its inland location, and its beauty.
Not long after moving we became aware of the large population of birds of prey soaring the blue skies over Bulloch County. After a few calls to the Department of Natural Resources we were amazed to find that there was no one - from the Georgia coast, to the big city of Atlanta - that rescued injured or orphaned raptors and that there was a need for our sanctuary here.
Raven Oaks Raptor Sanctuary, or RORS as it is often called, is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of raptors - a predatory group that includes hawks, owls and falcons. It is run by volunteers and operated with donations from the community.
As the Director of RORS, I have seen many injured birds but I am surprised at how many are finding their way to me each week here in Georgia. The birds' needs vary. Some suffer from environmental hazards such as lead or chemical poisoning; others have been injured in collisions with cars. Many were orphaned when development encroached on their habitats. Still others were injured when shot or trapped. The mortality rate for first-year raptors is 80 percent.
Our aim is to care for the magnificent creatures temporarily until they can be released back into the wild, or, if that's not possible, to care for them permanently and enter them into our educational program. A non-releasable red tailed hawk recently assigned to us by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is our newest addition. He is one of five birds of prey that will live here permanently and will go on the road with us to schools, clubs and other events.
One aspect of our educational programs is teaching people how to help wild birds. Most of us want to, but we may make incorrect assumptions about these creatures and what to do for them. If you find a baby bird on the ground, for example, leave it alone. Its parents are often watching from nearby and will continue to feed it. If it appears injured or genuinely orphaned, call your local department of natural resources office for assistance.
As wildlife rehabbers our goal is to help the owl, hawk or falcon return to nature. Letting go is hard, but our mission is to tend the birds who can'tleave and to release the ones who can.
You help. You hope. You keep going. And you know that there is always another bird that will need just one more chance.
Debbie Baca, Director and Founder of RORS, may be reached at 912-618-8888.
RORS is sponsoring an Earth Day Festival at Skidaway Island State Park on April 12th.
To volunteer or to sponsor a bird, go to www.bigbirdrescue.org
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As the Director of RORS, I have seen many injured birds but I am surprised at how many are finding their way to me each week here in Georgia. The birds' needs vary. Some suffer from environmental hazards such as lead or chemical poisoning; others have been injured in collisions with cars. Many were orphaned when development encroached on their habitats. Still others were injured when shot or trapped. The mortality rate for first-year raptors is 80 percent.
As wildlife rehabbers our goal is to help the owl, hawk or falcon return to nature. Letting go is hard, but our mission is to tend the birds who can'tleave and to release the ones who can. 