Alaska Raptor Center, Bird rehabilitation center in Sitka, United States
The Alaska Raptor Center is a rehabilitation facility for injured raptors located on 17 acres along the Tongass National Forest and Indian River. The facility includes a large enclosed flight space where birds recover their strength and flying skills before returning to their natural habitat.
The center began in 1980 when local residents started nursing an injured eagle in a backyard before it grew into a full rehabilitation facility. This small effort eventually became a major hub for rescuing and returning raptors to the wild.
The center keeps raptors that cannot survive in the wild, and these resident birds help visitors understand why protecting these hunters matters for the ecosystem. Watching them up close changes how people think about birds of prey.
Visitors can watch raptors through one-way glass windows as they train to fly again in the large enclosed space. Plan your visit to spend time observing the birds during their recovery and preparation for release.
The center treats more than 200 injured raptors yearly, with birds arriving from across Alaska via air transport in specialized kennels. This air rescue operation reflects how isolated many parts of the state are and the need for these remote deliveries.
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