There’s a raptor rescue and conservation organization located in Coaldale, and not of the Jurassic variety.
Since 1982, the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation has operated and the Centre is home to injured birds needing long-term care from across Canada.
Offspring from the Centre’s Burrowing Owl breeding program have also been released in all four western provinces in hopes of bringing this species back from its endangered status.
“We rescue and release hawks, falcons, eagles, owls and vultures native to southern Alberta,” says Colin Weir from the Foundation.
Weir adds there’s a lot to see and do at the Centre. “We do flight demonstrations with our eagle at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. We do owl demonstrations at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.”
There are also opportunities to interact one-one-one with specially-trained Burrowing Owls, Barn Owls and Great Horned Owls.
Follow the Centre’s social media platforms for news about baby owls and the opportunity to spend time with them during your visit.
“Everybody who comes through, there’s still opportunities to hold birds for pictures. Explore our grounds and feed our ‘world famous’ Walk of Ducks,” notes Weir. “That’s usually very popular, especially with children.”
Flying demonstrations take place daily, weather permitting.
Periodically, Weir adds, the Centre will be doing releases once the birds are ready to go back into the wild. “That might happen a little later in August.”
Because the Centre doesn’t receive any government operating subsidies, Weir says they’re very appreciative when people come to visit. “The admission fees they pay go 100 per cent into the running of the Centre and our wildlife rescue. That helps us release more birds back to the wild.”
In any given year, the Centre releases upwards of between 80 to 100 birds. “There’s also a lot of ducklings people bring to us, and other birds.”
“For example, mother ducks will lay their eggs and hatch them in various hazardous places like in Lethbridge. We handle quite a few missions from those sorts of situations – where we rescue the families of ducks and relocate them on our wetlands,” Weir explains.
According to Weir, the Centre does specialize in rescuing birds of prey. “We can definitely help with those. We often get calls from across Alberta because we answer the phone after hours. Quite often we get calls to help people rescue birds like from Rocky Mountain House and Edmonton. Just giving them some advice, where to call and what to do until they can get help the next day.”
New this year, Weir adds, is the addition of offering private experiences for visitors. “There’s a few things we can’t do with all the visitors. We have a few other species of owls that are a little more fragile. We offer private experiences, so visitors can interact with some of those birds. It’s like a small owl that can fit in a teacup, and a Barn Owl is another one. Some of our private tours with our eagle as well, so people can hold that golden eagle on their arms some days too.”
The Centre is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until September.
For more information visit online at burrowingowl.com.
