29 Jan Teton Raptor Center in Wilson
So, right down the road from us is the Teton Raptor Center (TRC). It’s a great place to visit when you venture to Jackson Hole – interesting, educational and fun for the entire family.
One of the many opportunities to volunteer with TRC is through their Raptor Rescue Network. TRC founded this network to “coordinate the efforts of Rehab Centers, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, veterinarians and volunteers to ensure that every injured raptor has access to rehabilitation.”
On August 18, 2017, Hideout owner and innkeeper Beth McCoy answered the call to transport a very sick Golden Eagle from Alpine, Wyoming to Wilson, Wyoming. Turns out the transport was for a juvenile Bald Eagle from Afton, Wyoming. Driving slow and steady, with the car nice and quiet and the air conditioning cranked as high as it would go, she made her way to TRC late on a Friday evening. The initial assessment was that the raptor likely wouldn’t make the trip, much less a full recovery. But the raptor proved us wrong and now is enjoying life in the wild again.
Just after the transport, TRC posted the following on their website: “This large, juvenile Bald Eagle came to us extremely lethargic. Teton Raptor Center staff initially suspected lead poisoning to the be the culprit, but a blood test yielded negative results. Surprisingly, she survived her first night in our oxygen chamber, and her health dramatically improved with every hour. TRC discovered a large endoparasite load which may have contributed to the lethargy … Within less than a week of coming to us, she successfully demonstrated her ability to fly.”
This video captures her release – back where she was found – on September 8, 2017. Simply amazing!!!