Dane County Humane Society working to raise funds to help large birds of prey

Organization is within $20,000 of reaching goal

Site staff by Site Contributor

Courtesy of DCHS

Courtesy of DCHS



The Dane County Humane Society is within $20,000 of raising the funds needed to build a 100-foot flight pen at the Wildlife Center to help injured, ill or orphaned large birds of prey in South Central Wisconsin.

According to a release, the new flight pen is important to help rehabilitate the animalsby allowing them to restore muscle tone, improve strength and endurance and acclimate to weather conditions.

As the Wildlife Center has grown, they have seen more large birds of prey that could use a larger pen. DCHS currently has a 50-foot flight pen, but it only meets certain bird species’ requirements for rehabilitation. Species requiring a 100-foot pen include bald eagles, snowy owls, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, osprey and great gray owls.

Many animals throughout the southwest region of the state are taken to DCHS since there are no other facilities that can help the animals. Many of these birds arrive lethargic and unable to fly properly because of lead poisoning. Treatment for lead poisoning can take months.

DCHS partners with Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay to utilize their 100-foot flight pens. A release from DCHS said this can add stress of travel and relocation, sometimes causing the animal to injure itself or break its feathers. This can add more time to the recovery process and delay release back to its natural habitat.

A new flight pen could reduce an animal’s stress, accidental injury and decrease captivity time.

To help raise the remaining $20,000 for the flight pen, two Wildlife Center volunteers are providing a matching gift. The donors will match all donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

Click here for more information about donations.

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