(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, May 31, 2012 ) BOISE, Idaho- The public is invited to meet the newest, youngest, and fuzziest members of the raptor ambassador team at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey. A young Eurasian Eagle Owl and a Peregrine Falcon chick will be shown during two of the daily live bird demonstrations. Aplomado Falcon chicks will be added to the line-up in the next four to six weeks.
When: 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. daily for 4-6 weeks Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 youth (ages 4-16), free to members Information: (208) 362- 8687 Driving Directions: From I-84 take the Cole Road exit and continue 6 miles south on Cole Road to Flying Hawk Lane Website: www.peregrinefund.org/vmic
The Eurasian Eagle Owl, named Wally, is two months old. The Peregrine Falcon, Benny, is nearly a month old. Both birds will be used in the education program at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center.
“We want the birds to become accustomed to being around people while they are young, so this is part of their education,” said Jack Cafferty, Director of the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center. “It’s also a great education for the public because people have the rare opportunity to see these chicks up close while they are still so young.”
People should arrive 15 minutes early for the demonstrations titled “Nestling Encounter: Meet Our Youngest Raptors.” To avoid causing undue stress on the birds, no one will be admitted after the program begins.
“People should bring their cameras for great photo ops,” Cafferty said. “We don’t have young chicks out with the general public very often, so come out and see them in the next few weeks.”
The Peregrine Fund was founded in 1970 to restore the Peregrine Falcon, which was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species list in 1999. That success encouraged the organization to expand its focus and apply its experience and understanding to raptor conservation efforts on behalf of 102 species in 65 countries. This included the California Condor and Aplomado Falcon in the United States. The organization is non-political, solution-oriented and hands-on with a mission to: restore rare species through captive breeding and releases, improve capacity for local conservation, conduct scientific research and environmental education, and conserve habitat.
The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center opened in 1994 at the World Center for Birds of Prey, which was established by the Peregrine Fun in Boise Idaho in 1984. The interpretive center features interactive displays, multi-media shows, and live demonstrations with hawks falcons, eagles, and owls. Visitors may observe live California Condors, a Harpy Eagle, and other birds of prey. The environmental education program has three components: general public, school-endorsed programs, and outreach. All three use live raptors as an avenue for promoting conservation of birds of prey and their habitat. The interpretive center draws approximately 30,000 visitors annually.
The Archives of Falconry (originally called the Archives of American Falconry) was founded in 1986 by The Peregrine Fund to collect and preserve the history of American falconers. The growing collection eventually reflected the international origins of this ancient sport, and the name was changed in 2000 to the Archives of Falconry. In 2006, the Archives grew significantly with construction of a wing that honors falconry in the Middle East, where the sport is more than 3,000 years old. The only one of its kind, the Archives contains art, books, sculpture, and artifacts. It is open for public tours daily.
