Volunteers lend a hand to rebuild raptor cages

The Nature Reach Program at Pittsburg State University has for years been a great educational tool for students seeking to learn about a variety of animals. But after a winter storm damaged the raptor cages at the Natural History Research Reserve earlier this year, director Delia Lister could only wonder how long she would need to keep the birds in their smaller, temporary cages.

With a recent donation to the program and a pledge by a group of volunteers to rebuild, however, Lister doesn’t have to worry any more.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 15, volunteers from Westar Energy’s Green Team, HCC Contractors, and the Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society in Pittsburg will gather at the Reserve to construct new raptor enclosures for the program.

The new enclosures will hold the current group of four raptors that have been living in temporary cages for months. The birds include a 28-year-old eagle, a hawk the program has had for 19 years, and an owl that has been with the program for 15 years.

The new enclosures will hold up to seven birds total, making it possible for the program to offer a home to more birds in the near future.

After setting the posts for the new enclosures this week, the volunteers will net and finish the cages on Saturday. “It’s fabulous,” Lister said. “It’s something we really needed. We couldn’t do it without the support of local volunteers and local donations.”

For more information about Saturday’s volunteer day or to get directions to the Reserve, contact Lister at 620-704-0034 or at dalister@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---