10,000th Rehabilitated Raptor Released on Campus
The College of Science hosted the Carolina Raptor Center as they released their 10,000th rehabilitated raptor on Saturday, Aug. 10. The red-tailed hawk spent 58 days in CRC’s hospital facility and was released into the trees at the Hauser Alumni Pavilion in front of a crowd of guests, including families and CRC volunteers. The event was held on campus where the center was “hatched” 49 years ago, in what is now the Department of Biological Sciences.
CRC’s story began at UNC Charlotte in 1975 when an injured broad-winged hawk was brought to ornithologist Richard Brown, Ph.D., which sparked the idea for a raptor rehabilitation center. In 1981, Brown and student Deb Sue Griffin co-founded the center as a nonprofit organization. In 1984, the nonprofit was in need of more space and moved the center from campus to its current location within the Latta Nature Preserve. The raptor hospital has since evolved into a sophisticated facility capable of providing specialized treatment tailored to the unique needs of these birds and CRC has grown into a leading institution dedicated to the rehabilitation, education, and conservation of birds of prey.
Bernadette Donovan-Merket, interim dean of the College of Science, remarked to the attendees that this event allowed campus to start residential move-in a little early. “We are so excited to welcome this red-tailed hawk to the beautiful and ecologically diverse habitat of the UNC Charlotte campus. The trees are a little different from the dorms, but our campus can certainly take another resident,” said Donovan-Merkert. “We have already told the squirrels to be on the lookout for our newest Niner.”
Katherine Hall-Hertell, associate dean of graduate academic and student affairs, serves as a board member of the organization. “I joined the Board of the Carolina Raptor Center because I am inspired by their mission and vision. When I learned that CRC began at UNC Charlotte, I felt an even stronger commitment and I’m honored to be a bridge between the two organizations,” said Hall-Hertell. “I am so glad we could participate in this impressive achievement. It feels like we are closing a circle releasing this raptor patient at Charlotte.”
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone at UNC Charlotte, where our journey began,” said Erin Katzner, President and CEO of the Carolina Raptor Center. “Releasing our 10,000th rehabilitated raptor, a hawk, at the place of our inception is a profound moment for all of us. It represents the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers, and supporters over the years.”
