University of Minnesota (Raptor Center)

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (TRC) will upgrade its outdoor enclosures for wild raptors undergoing rehabilitation and install digital video and audio equipment to allow for remote monitoring of these animals from the medical clinic and a new educational kiosk. Digital monitoring equipment will reduce handling and stress of the birds by allowing remote viewing and also create a portal for the public to watch and learn about the rehabilitation process, a previously inaccessible opportunity. The facilities will provide safe containment; reduce risks of injury, stress, and infectious diseases; create safer access for staff and volunteers; and let the public watch and learn about the rehabilitation process for the first time. The project will also develop the public’s understanding of the challenges raptors face in a human-impacted environment and the role people can play in creating a healthier natural world.