As a long-time volunteer for the Cascades Raptor Center, I want to thank you for the insightful and extensive coverage of our center and mission. The University community has always had a part in CRC, and we would love that involvement to grow. There is one issue, though, that needs clarification.
When the reporter stated “Most of the raptors that arrive at the center injured and in need of medical care die as a result of their injuries or have to be euthanized,” she couldn’t have been further from the truth. We have a release rate – the percentage of injured birds that are released to the wild – at or above 50 percent. We rely on the community to notify and transport injured birds to us for care, and we don’t want them to think that it’s not worth doing. We encourage the entire University community to visit our center and see for themselves the wonderful work their colleagues and friends are involved in!
Jonathan Smith
Museum Technician
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art