LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nested at the end of a narrow road in Louisville’s Buechel neighborhood is a second chance at life for injured birds of prey like owls, falcons and eagles.
Founded 30 years ago, Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky nurses injured birds back to health before releasing them back into the wild.
“We take in 450 to 500 birds of prey every year,” said Tiffany Dicks, a volunteer who's been at the rehab for eight years said. “Most of them have been hit by cars. That’s our most common injury. Second most common injury is window strike.”
The Louisville operation is one of only four licensed raptor rescues in the state, according to Dicks. It’s also the only one serving this part of the state.
She adds they receive calls daily, informing them of birds needing medical care.
“Currently, we have close to 100 birds on property. Most of them are ready for release. We are releasing anywhere between 10 and 20 a week right now back to the wild,” Dicks said.
Dicks adds that along with injures indirectly caused by humans, the other impact they commonly see is lead poisoning.
While rehabilitation is the facility’s primary goal, they also focus on educating the public about the importance raptors have on the environment, and on ways to protect birds in their own backyards.
A lesson taught with the help of educational birds like Luna, a great horned owl with an eye injury that’s called the rehab home since the 90s.
“This is the apex predator when we’re talking about raptors in the United States,” Dicks said of great horned owls.
The three-decade-old organization took part in Give for Good Louisville this year. Their goal was to raise $20,000. This year the organization raised close to $5,300, from around 60 doors. Dicks says all the work here is done by volunteers. Each dollar raised goes right back into helping the animals.
“This time of year it’s really important because we’ve gotten through the summer, which is when we have the most birds on property. So right now is the time of year where we are spending the most money because we have the most amount of birds come through at this particular time, so give for good is very important to us,” Dicks said.
Along with a food bill that costs thousands each month, there are plans for an additional eagle enclosure, which Dicks estimates will cost between $30,000 and $50,000.
Both short and long-term needs that will require continued community support for species Dicks says are often misunderstood.