AU RAPTOR CENTER TO OPEN NEW AMPHITHEATER THIS FALL

Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center will unveil a new amphitheater this fall, providing a place for educational programs about raptors, or birds of prey.

“It is close to completion now, but we plan to have a formal dedication this fall when the weather is cooler,” said Timothy Boosinger, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “It is too hot right now for flighted programs.”

The 300-seat facility, with two 25-foot towers for flight demonstrations, is being funded by a $400,000 gift from Carol Clark of Princeville, III.

“We have been blessed by private support for the raptor center,” Boosinger added. “Mrs. Clark’s generous gift will allow us to teach about birds of prey and will help spread the word about conservation.”

The amphitheater will provide more opportunities for local residents as well as out-of-town guests to see a raptor program. It will also reduce travel time and costs for the center’s two education specialists, who travel across the region presenting programs to schools, conservation groups and other organizations.

“They have spoken to almost 72,000 students in the past year and a half,” said Jamie Bellah, center director. “They will still travel, but the new amphitheater will allow us to bring larger groups on-site.”

Programs can cover not only raptors, but also related topics such as wildlife conservation, the physics of flight and customized programs tailored to specific groups or events. For example, a bald eagle is used to combine a program on raptors and Memorial Day.

“We want to stimulate the kids’ interest in learning, whatever the subject,” said Education Specialist Roy Crowe, who, along with colleague Marianne Murphy, uses six or seven of the center’s 18 educational birds in each program.

The center’s most famous residents are 27-year-old golden eagle Tiger (officially known as War Eagle VI), bald eagle Spirit and golden eagle Nova, each of which has flown before home football games. They are used in the classroom as well.

“They are definitely attention-getters when we bring them into an auditorium,” Murphy added. “People love seeing any of the birds, but these three really create interest.”

All birds used in the educational programs are non-releasable due to prior injuries or human imprinting. Any bird capable of surviving in the wild must be released, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits Auburn to house the birds.

The amphitheater is the latest addition to the center that also has a mew complex for the educational birds and a rehabilitation hospital for injured wild birds. For information about educational programs, call (334) 844-6943. To report an injured raptor, call (334) 844-6347.