Alabama Wildlife Center accepting injured raptors after two-year hiatus

After a two-year hiatus, the Alabama Wildlife Center (AWC) is once again accepting raptors to rehabilitate.

Alabama Wildlife Center’s Executive Director Chris Sykes explained to Bham Now why the organization stopped taking raptors and the actions they took to enable them to care for them once again.

Why AWC stopped taking raptors

“Resuming raptor intake is incredibly important to us at the Alabama Wildlife Center. When the Alabama Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) had to suspend raptor rehabilitation in November 2022 due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), it was a disheartening but imperative decision. 

The suspension was crucial to protect the health and safety of our avian community. This challenging period underscored the need for significant renovations to our clinic to better accommodate the needs and care of these magnificent birds of prey.”

Chris Sykes, Executive Director, Alabama Wildlife Center

In April, AWC—Alabama’s oldest and largest wildlife rehab facility—added several upgrades to their facility, including:

1. Renovations to their raptor clinic
2. New educational flight training facility
3. Native pollinator garden
4. Completely renovated bathrooms
5. New educational exhibits

New raptor clinic 

The AWC reopened a new raptor clinic at their campus in Oak Mountain State Park in April.

“Raptors are vital to our ecosystem, and their health directly impacts the environment we all share. Our newly improved rehabilitation clinic now allows us to provide the best possible care for injured raptors, ensuring they have a chance to recover and return to the wild. 

This step forward is a testament to our dedication to wildlife conservation and our commitment to supporting Alabama’s native wildlife. We’re excited to continue making a positive impact on the lives of these incredible creatures.”

Chris Sykes, Executive Director, Alabama Wildlife Center

What to do if you find an injured bird

If you find an injured bird of prey, AWC can only take them by appointment. 

How does it work?

1. Call the AWC Wildlife Helpline at (205) 663-7930 | extension 1 to schedule the appointment.
2. Appointments for raptors occur Monday through Sunday from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

If you have an injured songbird, appointments are accepted Monday through Sunday from 11:00PM to 4:00PM.

Have you ever rescued a bird and sent it to be cared for at the Alabama Wildlife Center? Tell us your favorite memory on Instagram by tagging us at @bhamnow !