Dr. Ponder treats a rare California condor for a wing fracture.
photo credit: Photo by Patrick O’Leary, University of Minnesota

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While the privately-funded Center does treat some birds from zoos and nature centers, most of its patients are wild raptors from Minnesota and adjacent states. Their injuries include broken bones, punctures and other wounds from collisions, traps and gun shot. The Center also treats birds suffering from poisons or disease.

Since most of these injuries come from encounters with humans, treating wild birds reveals how our actions affect the environment. Understanding this impact helps us develop ways to improve our relationship with nature. In addition, skills honed while treating common raptors can come in handy when struggling to save the life of a rare or endangered bird.

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Raptors provide a window onto the wild