New van enhances Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center’s educational program and presentation capabilities

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The Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University is well known for its educational and wildlife conservation programs and for its work rehabilitating and releasing raptors back into the wild. With the acquisition of a new 2017 van, the center now is positioned to broaden its outreach.

Through the generosity of private donors, the raptor center, a division of the College of Veterinary Medicine, replaced its old van this year with a new Ford Transit, complete with custom graphics and custom travel racks designed to hold avian cages.

Funds for the van were primarily provided through a gift from former Auburn football player Mac Crawford of Tennessee, and his wife, Linda. Both 1971 graduates of Auburn, Mac earned a degree in business administration, and Linda a degree in home economics.

"Linda saw the post on Facebook where the raptor center had a fundraising effort to replace its old van,” Mac Crawford said. "She brought it to my attention, and we decided this was something that we wanted to support.”

Crawford and his wife have long been supporters of Auburn University. "We think a lot of Auburn’s Veterinary Medicine program, and we are particularly interested in the raptor program and the excitement it brings to Auburn football and the educational value that it provides,” he said.

The new van will serve as a multipurpose vehicle, according to Raptor Specialist Rhett LaPorte.

"We will continue to use the old van, but the new van will become our go-to vehicle for longer road trips,” LaPorte said.

Center staff make about 300 educational program trips annually throughout the state and Southeast, mostly to schools and civic organizations who are interested in raptors and conservation.

"We typically take along up to seven birds,” LaPorte said.

An educational program typically includes owls, falcons and, of course, Spirit—one of the eagles that free-fly at the opening of Auburn home football games. In addition to the seven-bird travel entourage, the new van also can transport up to seven human passengers.

Groups interested in scheduling an educational program can do so online by completing an online "request a program” form at or by calling (334) 844-6943.

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The College of Veterinary Medicine is the South's original and nation's seventh oldest veterinary medical program, celebrating 126 years. We prepare individuals for careers of excellence in veterinary medicine, including private and public practice, industrial medicine, academics, and research. The college provides programs of instruction, research, outreach, and service that are in the best interests of the citizens of the state of Alabama, the region, the nation, and the world.