Ojai Raptor Center Newsletters

Fighting for Her Life: Meet Bald Eagle Patient 25-676

Last week a juvenile Bald Eagle was discovered struggling to survive at Owens Lake in Bartlett, California. A young bird in her first year of life, she was still learning the ways of the world, and should have been perfecting her hunting skills and gaining strength in flight; instead, she was weak, starving, and unable to fly. Read More

Patient of the Week: Red-tailed Hawk Nestling 25-215

This spring, a young Red-tailed Hawk was found alone on the ground—emaciated, weak, and with painful foxtails embedded deep in his legs. His nest was far too high in the treetops to safely return him, and without parental care, he had little chance of survival. Thanks to a concerned rescuer and the expert care of our wildlife team, he received immediate medical attention, pain relief, and a carefully formulated, species-specific diet to help him regain strength. Read More

Hope for Burrowing Owl Displaced by LA Fires

Last November, during migration, a Burrowing Owl was found in Los Angeles after colliding with a building. It was taken to California Wildlife Center (CWC), an organization we frequently partner with, where it received initial care. When the Franklin Fire forced CWC to evacuate in December, they transferred the owl to Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) for specialized raptor rehabilitation. Read More

Nurturing a Legacy: Three Peregrine Falcons Hatch at ORC

After 25 years in raptor rehabilitation, true firsts don’t come often, but this is one of them. For the first time, ORC has successfully hatched three Peregrine Falcon chicks which are now being cared for around the clock.

Their arrival comes at a challenging time for North American Peregrine Falcons (and many other raptor species). Many known nesting pairs across the U.S. and California are experiencing pair turnover, nest failures and disappearances, largely due to the continued spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Read More

Standing Together During the Los Angeles Fires

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires. The destruction to the environment, the loss of life, and the hardships faced by so many are deeply heartbreaking. At the same time, we are immensely grateful for the courageous firefighters, first responders, and countless others who are working tirelessly to save lives and provide relief. Read More

A Season of Gratitude: Saving Lives, One Flight at a Time

The call came from a research vessel docked in the Port of Hueneme. The crew had noticed 10 Burrowing Owls taking refuge aboard their ship, a safe haven in the vast ocean, after they had blown off course during their migration. Most of the owls eventually flew off, continuing their journey, but one was left behind, exhausted, emaciated, and covered in a toxic petroleum residue from where the owls had made their temporary home near the ship’s engine room.
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