Alaska Raptor Center Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Alaska Raptor Center

Type	Raptor rehabilitation center
Location	1000 Raptor Way Sitka, Alaska
Area	17 acres (6.9 ha)
Created	1980
Operated by	Jennifer Cross (director)
Other information	Exhibit: Eagle rehabilitation center

The Alaska Raptor Center is a special place in Sitka, Alaska. It helps injured birds of prey, also known as raptors. These birds include eagles, hawks, and owls. The center is located on 17 acres next to the Tongass National Forest. It also borders the Indian River.

The main goal of the Alaska Raptor Center is to help wild raptors. They do this by caring for injured birds. They also teach people about these amazing animals. Plus, they do research to learn more about them. While they mostly help raptors, they will care for any bird that needs help.

Helping Injured Birds
Visiting the Center
See also

Helping Injured Birds

The Alaska Raptor Center helps many birds each year. They get between 100 and 200 birds annually. Many of these birds have been hurt. Common injuries come from things like power lines or collisions. Some birds are hurt by gunshots or traps. Others suffer from starvation, sickness, or lead poisoning.

How Birds Travel to the Center

Many birds come from places outside of Sitka. They often fly in on airplanes. The birds travel in special covered kennels. Covering the kennels helps keep the birds calm during their trip.

Getting Ready for Release

When an eagle gets healthy, it moves to a special area. This area is called the Walter and Suzanne Scott Foundation Bald Eagle Flight Training Center. It is a large indoor space. Here, eagles can fly, bathe, and be with other eagles. This helps them get strong before they are set free.

Birds That Stay at the Center

Some birds cannot live in the wild again. This is usually because of their injuries. These birds find new homes at zoos or wildlife centers. They become "ambassadors" for their species. This means they help teach people about their kind.

Some injured birds find a permanent home at the Alaska Raptor Center itself. About two dozen birds live there. These include eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. There are also ravens. These resident birds help with the center's education programs.

Meet Volta the Eagle

One famous resident bird is Volta. Volta is a bald eagle. In 1992, Volta was hurt by power lines. The injuries meant Volta could not go back to the wild. Volta used to help with educational programs. Now, Volta lives with three other eagles. They live in the Bald Eagle Habitat at the center.

Visiting the Center

More than 40,000 people visit the Alaska Raptor Center each year. The center in Sitka is open to the public. Visitors can take daily tours.

In 2014, the center started programs in Ketchikan, Alaska. They offer educational programs there from May to September. These programs feature bald eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons.

The Alaska Raptor Center is a private group. It is a nonprofit organization. This means it uses its money to help birds and teach people.