Spring Raptor Release

MEDIA ALERT
For immediate release

Contacts: 
Amber Burnette, The Raptor Center, 612-624-3391 or burne018@umn.edu
Brian Graves, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228 or grave237@umn.edu

U of M Raptor Center to release rehabilitated raptors

WHAT:  Spring Raptor Release

WHEN:  Saturday, May 1, 2010, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (release at 1 p.m.)

WHERE:  Hyland Lake Park Reserve Visitor Center, Bloomington, Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (April 9, 2010) - The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine will release rehabilitated raptors back to the wild on Saturday, May 1, at 1 p.m. at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve Visitor Center in Bloomington, Minn.

During this annual celebration, participants can watch raptors return to the wild and photograph eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls. There will be children’s activities, a climbing wall, and educational displays throughout the day.

“It is always a thrill to see the excitement when people – especially kids – get up close to these magnificent birds who have so much to teach us,” says Julia Ponder, D.V.M., executive director of the Raptor Center. 

The public is also invited to bring their used printer ink cartridges for the Recycling for Raptors program, which helps support The Raptor Center.

Cosponsored by The Raptor Center and Three Rivers Park District, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact The Raptor Center at 612-624-4745.

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The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. In addition to treating approximately 700 birds a year, the program provides training in raptor medicine and surgery for veterinarians from around the world, reaches more than 250,000 people each year through public education programs and events, and identifies emerging issues related to raptor health and populations.

Three Rivers Park District promotes environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system.