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This page features different animals that have come to the Center in
need of medical care, and describes the rehabilitation
process that brings them back to good health.
Click here to learn how you can help
defray the costs of providing quality care to over 1,500
birds, mammals and reptiles that come to the Center each year.
Thank you for caring!
Freyja, our educational peregrine falcon
Would you like
to "sponsor" Freyja
or one of the other
educational birds at CFW?
Click
here to fill out the
online "Adopt a Raptor" form
Our flight cage volunteers!
During September, 2004 the CFW received a call from
Tufts Wildlife Clinic asking if we would be interested in taking a
non-releasable peregrine falcon. She was a young bird who unfortunately
struck a car after fledging from her nest. We immediately said yes, and
could not wait for her arrival. At the time, however, we were in the midst
of constructing a new flight enclosure and had to wait until that project
was completed so she would have a home.
In November, Freyja (named after a
Norse goddess of love and magic) finally arrived. The staff at Tufts had already
started to work with her on the glove and she seemed quite comfortable
around people. Not only did we get a beautiful peregrine falcon to use for
our community education programs (a species
which at one time was close to extinction due to DDT, but has been
recovering), we got a bird that was partially trained and packed full of
personality.
Not to say that we don’t have our work cut out for us. Peregrine falcons are very smart, and we quickly learned that Freyja had a few habits that needed to be worked on (such as jumping from a perch onto people). CFW staff work with her every day for up to an hour so she gets used to the same handling techniques and commands. We are so honored and fortunate to be able to work with this magnificent bird every day. We know that she will leave an immeasurable impression on all of those who learn from her.
The Center tries to give much needed care
but still allow the animals to be wild, with the intention of letting them
go when they are ready to care for themselves. Too much "love"
can result in a baby animal imprinting on the humans caring for it and
that makes it difficult to release. If you find an animal that seems to be
in need, keep an eye on it for while before you decide to take it in.
Sometimes, Mom is right around the corner and will retrieve a baby in a
short while. If you do decide to intervene, call the Center and get
instructions on how to properly handle the animal or call the Animal
Control officer in your town.
Copyright © 2007 The Center for Wildlife
P.O. Box 620
Cape Neddick, ME 03902
(207) 361-1400