Raptor ProgramBirds of prey, such as eagles, falcons, hawks, owls and vultures, have a vital role in our ecosystem. Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor program is focused on the conservation of these birds through statewide raptor education programs, both on- and off-site, including in our raptor woodland refuge.YOUR DONATION TODAY WILL HELP FULFILL OUR MISSION OF RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT THE COST OF FEEDING AND CARING FOR THE RAPTOR AMBASSADORS THAT CALL THE FOREST HOME.DONATE TO the RAPTOR program |
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About Our Work With Raptors
The Raptor Team
Fontenelle Forest has a team of dedicated employees and a network of volunteers, who feed and care for the many raptor ambassadors that call the Forest home.
Raptors require full-time care involving everything from weighing and inputting their food intake into a tracking database, to training educational birds to go on outreach programs, to cleaning and maintaining their enclosures.
Statewide Raptor Education
All of the raptors who live at the Forest are non-releasable due to a variety of factors, many involving previous injuries. These birds would not survive on their own and cannot be released.
Some of these non-releasable birds have joined our roster of educational birds for outreach and education programs. Our team of employees and volunteers travel to schools, nursing homes, and other groups to provide raptor outreach programs and in-person raptor appearances, with the goal of educating current and future generations about raptor education and conservation. They also hold live raptor programs for school field trips, birthday parties and other events. The Fontenelle Forest Raptor Program reaches 20,000 people each year during our live raptor programs.
Book an Outreach Program
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Raptor Woodland RefugeThirty feet above the Forest floor, visitors will find a canopy-level exhibit designed according to the natural habitat of the rescued birds that are housed within these mews.These are not ordinary enclosures – these are homes. Although these birds of prey can no longer survive in the wild, they can provide us with their experiences and help educate the public about this important part of nature. We invite you to visit these magnificent birds of prey, read their stories, and learn the simple steps you can take in your daily life to become an advocate for raptor conservation. The Raptor Woodland Refuge is located at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. |
Raptor Stories
All of the raptors in our care are not able to live on their own for a specific reason. Sadly, many of their stories involve interactions with humans that ultimately rendered them non-releasable. Just a few examples are getting struck by a car, being illegally shot, or becoming sickened as a result of ingesting particles from a lead bullet.
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HeliosTurkey Vulture |
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MesaFerruginous Hawk |
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Freedom and FisherBald Eagles Fisher: 2018, Omaha, NE Freedom and Fisher lived side-by-side while recovering from their injuries. After six months apart, they were reunited and recognized each other immediately. Fisher and Freedom were found as adults, so we are not certain of their ages. However, we anticipate the two eagles to be roommates for decades. |
Support the Raptor Program
There are multiple ways you can support the Raptor Program and the important work being done in statewide raptor education and conservation.
![]() Donate
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![]() Purchase a Raptor gift packagePurchasing a Raptor Program gift package is a fun and unique way to show support for our Raptor Program. It’s the perfect gift for every bird lover!See Gift Packages |
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Book an Outreach Program
Are you interested in having our educational raptors or critters visit your school, organization or club? Did you know that in addition to educational raptors, a variety of snakes, turtles and other critters call Fontenelle Forest home? Our trained staff and volunteer presenters are experienced in tailoring presentations to a wide variety of audiences and group sizes.
To find out more information about educational programs, please fill out the form below or call 402-731-3140.
Found an injured or orphaned raptor (or other wildlife)?
If you have found an injured or orphaned raptor (or other wildlife) learn what the appropriate next steps are by clicking the button below.