DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Raptor Center, a nonprofit organization focused on conservation, rehabilitation, and education is currently struggling to make ends meet. On Wednesday, June 19th, they reached out to followers on Facebook for donations to be able afford to buy more medicine and food. Â
For rehabilitators, summer is the busiest season, since the new hatchlings are getting ready to fly and are more susceptible to injury or abandonment. Jacques Nuzzo, the program director at the Illinois Raptor Center, said that this so-called "baby season" is, "this is the worst time of the year for every rehab."
Right now, the Raptor Center has nearly 20 baby raptors in their facility, which is over double what they usually have in the off season. "There's a lot of birds here right now,"
It's also the most expensive. In addition to nursing any baby raptors back to health and paying for food and medicine during that period, the feathered patients also need food for their months-long rehabilitation.
The Illinois Raptor Center is requesting donations from anyone who can help. Donations can be made through their website illinoisraptor.center, their Facebook page @illinoisbirds, by mail, or in-person at their Wildlife Hospital.
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