York Town News
Center for Wildlife celebrates 20 years with special project that's for the birds
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Freyja, a Peregrine falcon, is one of the birds who will be taking up residence in the Center for Wildlife's new raptor compound once it is complete. Local residents now have a chance to help raise the funds needed for this special project in celebration of the CFW's 20th anniversary.
Courtesy photo
This summer, the CFW is seeking the help of local residents to build a new home for those raptors - commonly known as birds of prey - who are permanent residents of the center due to injuries or illness that prevent them from surviving in the wild.
The center, which was established in 1986, has grown to be hailed as the state's largest wildlife rehabilitation facility, accepting animals in need from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts like Freyja, a falcon who was injured by a car and became one of the center's newest permanent residents.
"The cage will provide a wonderful new home for these birds," said CFW Managing Director Karen McElmurry in an announcement of the project.
The new enclosure is a 50-foot by 50-foot octagonal structure, noted Laura Dehler of the CFW, with a total cost of $50,000. The CFW has secured pledges equaling $20,000, but needs to raise the remaining funds as soon as possible so the work can continue to have the cage ready for the birds by this fall.
Designed by Scott Fiorentino of Fiorentino Group Architects, the new raptor compound will double the capacity of the current enclosure.
Les Haskell, who is building the enclosure, is using environmentally-friendly building products and practices.
Once it is complete, it will include eight sections with features appropriate for the resident species, such as natural lighting and vegetation, a variety of perches, bathing areas and secluded roosting spots.
"The current enclosure is old and in need of so many repairs that we decided to replace it. The new enclosure will be more spacious for the birds," McElmurry said. "It will provide them with privacy and security as well as affording more viewing opportunities for visitors at our annual open house and summer tours."
Freyja, a Peregrine falcon, will be joined by a red-tailed hawk, two barred owls, a great-horned owl and a eastern screech owl as residents of the "raptor compound" once it is complete, Dehler explained.
These permanent resident raptors have come to serve as what staff and volunteers call "wildlife ambassadors" through the center's educational programs, which reach out to more than 4,000 children and adults each year.
"Through our community education programs we want to create a magical experience - a personal encounter with wild animals - while raising people's awareness of how to live in ways that support, rather than threaten, their survival," McElmurry said.
The permanent resident raptors serve as "surrogate" parents to young, orphaned raptors. The grown raptors model such behaviors as feeding, preening, roosting and vocalizing - behaviors the orphans would have learned from their parents.
Ultimately, the CFW plans to add landscaping, paths, interpretive signage and other features in conjunction with the enclosure that will provide information to visitors about the species, their natural habits and preferred habitats.
Each year, the CFW treats over 1,500 sick and injured birds, mammals and reptiles. The facility consists of indoor treatment rooms as well as over 20 outdoor enclosures. In addition to the fundraising effort, the center is currently in need of an array of volunteers.
"Summer is an exciting time at the center because we have so many baby birds and mammals, and volunteers can have the experience of helping to raise an animal and preparing it for release back to the wild," McElmurry noted.
Tax-deductible contributions to the raptor enclosure building project may be sent to the CFW at P.0. Box 620, Cape Neddick, ME 03902.
For more information on assisting with the project, or on becoming a CFW volunteer, visit the center's website at www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org or call 361-1400.
