2007 Annual Report The Raptor Center - University of Minnesota ...

2 2007 Annual Report The Raptor CenterCover photo: John C. LundThis photo: Ron Winch

Dear Friends,At The Raptor Center, 30 years of conservationmedicine have taught us many things. Perhaps the mostimportant lesson is that sharing the biosphere interconnectsus all—raptors, humans, domestic animals,livestock, insects, and more. Thus as scientists, veterinariansand educators, we are now recognizing that we canno longer limit our focus to one group of species andhabitat. What affects one, affects all.As stately ambassadors that engage people, raptors play aunique role in fostering this understanding. Every raptorencounter, injury, or illness is an opportunity to learnmore about the ecosystem’s health. Every bit of informationwe gain from these magnificent birds of prey addsto our body of knowledge and deepens our appreciationfor the great web of life. Moving forward, our goal is toharness The Raptor Center’s educational, research, andpublic reach to better understand these ecological interrelationshipsand their impact on birds of prey.We continue to build on The Raptor Center’s remarkablelegacy. For more than three decades, the generosityof our friends has enabled The Raptor Center to growand thrive. Today your gifts allow us to:• Advance conservation medicine – by treating over750 raptors annually.• Engage the community – by linking science andbehavioral change.• Train the next generation – by making our worktransferable to veterinarians worldwide.• Educate and reach out – by using raptors to unlock theexcitement of the natural world, especially with children.On behalf of the staff, students, and volunteers, I thankyou for your continued support and encouragement.Our refined vision builds on the rich history of groundbreakingraptor research, medicine, education, andcommunity outreach for which The Raptor Center isrecognized worldwide. This new perspective not onlyexpands The Center’s core competencies, but also opensthe door to many opportunities for collaboration andgrowth. Like successful species, a thriving organizationis one that makes adaptations for a changing world.Sincerely,Julia Ponder, D.V.M.Executive Director2007 Annual Report The Raptor Center 3

Free ExpressionIn 2007, 301 volunteers contributed 35,173 hours. Their labors equal18 full-time staff positions.“Our volunteers are a wonderful group of people,” saysVivian Neiger, volunteer manager. “They not only wantsuccess for The Raptor Center, but they are also bright,funny, committed, and passionate.” Seven days a week,365 days a year, volunteers perform hundreds of tasks atThe Raptor Center. They understand that their effortsare essential to the raptors’—and The Center’s—survival. Their labors equate to approximately 18full-time staff positions.More than Just TalkIn May 2007, the Volunteer Advisory Committee(VAC) was formed to respond to the need for volunteersto be more involved in the communication process withthe staff. The committee was born from volunteersuggestions in an employee satisfaction survey andaddresses issues that require volunteer reactions andinput. Members represent each of the volunteer crews:Clinic, Education, Hospitality, Lobby Assistant, Flight,Transport, Carpentry/Maintenance, Special Events,Spic and Span, and Development.“We are already seeing better communications,”says volunteer Jeff Wells. “In the event that there areproblems, this is another tool to resolve issues andcreate better understanding.” Like all the volunteers,Jeff finds the raptors fascinating. “Knowing that we arereleasing these birds back into the wild is a thrill,” addsJeff. “It doesn’t mean anything in terms of numbers, butit does mean that this one bird did not have to perish.”Raptor Releases 2007The thrill of watching a raptor take tothe skies is unmatched. In 2007, over5,000 people joined in the excitementat two raptor releases:4 2007 Annual Report The Raptor CenterFall: September 30, 2006Lake Rebecca Park Reserve,Rockford, MinnesotaReleased: Red-shouldered hawk, two red-tailed hawks,two Cooper’s hawks, and a broad-winged hawkSpring: May 5, 2007Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center,Hastings, MinnesotaReleased: Bald eagle, broad-winged hawk, and twored-tailed hawks

6 2007 Annual Report The Raptor CenterReclaiming the SkiesOn June 28, 2007, the bald eagle was officially removedfrom the list of threatened and endangered species.Yet its modest recovery is something of a bittersweetvictory for this raptor that once dominated the skies.At the inception of European settlement in NorthAmerica it is estimated that approximately 100,000pairs of eagles flourished across the lower 48 states.Today they number less than 10,000 breeding pairs.Wild North Photography

Tom DahlinA Massive Shift in Public Attitude“From the time of settlement, eagles began a long periodof decline due to trapping, shooting, and habitatdestruction,” says Patrick Redig, D.V.M, Ph.D.“Yet all of this activity paled in comparison to theimpact of the pesticide DDT which, in a span of 14years, caused a catastrophic population crash.” The U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to monitor eaglepopulations for at least five years, as required by theEndangered Species Act. During this time, if thebald eagle needs the Act’s protection, the Service canpropose to put the raptor back on the list. Moreover,legislation like the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918 andthe Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act offer continualprotections for the birds. “Eagles have respondedwell since we removed the source of their decline,” addsDr. Redig. “We have also witnessed a massive change inpublic attitude about raptors and other wildlife.”Eagles Imperiled GloballyOver 70 species of eagles are distributed across theglobe, and human activity threatens their survival inmany regions. For example, eagles migrating fromcentral Europe experience enormous pressure from massivehunting in the Mediterranean basin. “The eaglesmost in peril now are in the rain forest,” says Dr. Redig.“Their habitat is being stripped away. In these regions,the human/raptor interface needs significant work—making education and conservation of raptors truly aglobal endeavor.”Affirming the Endangered Species ActThe eagle’s recovery in the United States affirms the valueof the Endangered Species Act. “When an animal canrecover, it makes the Act stronger,” says Julia Ponder,D.V.M. “The eagle’s comeback upholds the Act’s fundamentalpremise—that a protected species can recover.As long as the habitat is healthy and intact, eagles seemto tolerate some human impact. Humans, though,remain the limiting factor on their population. We mustcontinue working to better understand the balance.”Although we say the eagle hasrecovered, the population is just10 percent of what North Americasupported before Europeans arrived.2007 Annual Report The Raptor Center 7

Vivian Neiger, M.A.Volunteer manager and raptor lover VivianNeiger keeps tabs on The Center’s 300plus weekly volunteers. “As humans wetake so much out of nature. Volunteeringat The Raptor Center is a great way to giveback something.”Kelly ScottDefining the Standards for Captive RaptorsWhile an incapacitating injury may preclude a raptor’sreturn to the wild, the bird may continue to thrive incaptivity—given the proper care. But what type of careis required for great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, andeagles? What kind of perch do they need? What aboutdiet? It was the continuous stream of questions like thesefrom nature centers, zoos, and licensed educators thatprompted The Raptor Center clinic manager Lori Arentto write Care and Management of Captive Raptors 10years ago. The simple, spiral-bound, self-published volumewas immediately recognized as a landmark achievement,and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adopted itas the authority on using captive raptors in education.Taking It to the Next Level“Several years ago, we knew it was time to update thebook,” says Lori Arent. “We also wanted to significantlyexpand the content.” The new version, Raptorsin Captivity: Guidelines for Care and Management,covers housing, diet, and more. Published in 2007, it isconsidered the definitive reference on caring for raptorsin captivity.“We also decided to have the book professionallypublished,” says Lori. The 1996 edition of the book wasthe only resource of its kind, and The Raptor Centerhad sold thousands of copies over the years. Ongoingdemand from raptor educators around the globe led tothe decision to have Hancock House publish the book.8 2007 Annual Report The Raptor CenterKelly ScottBeyond the world of licensed raptor educators, the newversion has found a following among falconers andothers involved with birds of prey. “The new edition hasbeen very well received,” says Lori. “We’re really pleasedby the excellent response and feedback.”Raptors in Captivity: Guidelines for Careand Management; Hancock House 2007$49.95. Available through HancockHouse and The Raptor Center, whilesupplies last.

Skill BuildingVisiting international professionals and students are adapting the knowledgeand systems acquired at The Raptor Center to aid raptors within their uniquecultural context.In 2007 The Raptor Center resumed its internationalresidency program with Luis Cruz-Martinez, D.V.M.,from Costa Rica, who also completed an internshiphere. Funding challenges had previously caused thisvital program to be suspended. Yet the internationalresidency is essential for cultivating global leaders inavian conservation and medicine.Blending Medicine, Conservation, andManagementTo assist imperiled raptors, avian veterinarians workingin their own countries must possess not only a sophisticatedknowledge of avian medicine and conservationtechniques but also the management skills to developculturally sensitive programs. The international programis specifically designed to help residents developboth these vital skill sets.Birds know no boundaries. Movement and migrationpatterns make it essential for education about andconservation of raptors to be a global responsibility.Fostering and cultivating these aims are endeavors forwhich The Raptor Center’s international program isuniquely equipped.The Raptor Center’s internationaleducation programs develop theintensive skills in medicine,conservation, and managementessential for raptor survival globally.Complementing the residency program are internationalexternships. In 2006, The Center welcomed visitingprofessionals and students from France, Germany,Australia, and Spain for the four-to-six week externships.While most come to learn the basic principles of avianmedicine and surgery, they also develop a network ofstrategic connections that many find useful for years tocome. Upon returning home, many of these professionalsestablish culturally appropriate centers that impactavian conservation on an international scale.An International ResourceOver the past 20 years, more than 300 international anddomestic students and veterinarians have studied at TheRaptor Center. Often when they encounter a medical,goal setting, or conservation issue, they turn to The RaptorCenter for consultation. In Germany, a veterinarian—andformer extern—treating an endangered lesser spotted eagleconsults The Raptor Center. In Spain, former externs workto develop a wildlife rehabilitation center.InternationalPresentationsby Patrick Redig, D.V.M., Ph.D.,Professor• Japanese Society of Zoo and WildlifeMedicine, Gifu University, Japan• International Wildlife Veterinarian andRehabilitation, Madrid, Spain• Ninth European Conference of the Associationof Avian Veterinarians, Zurich, Switzerland2007 Annual Report The Raptor Center 9

Supporting a Better Environmental TraditionWe are grateful to our friends and supporters whose generosity enables TheRaptor Center to protect raptors, provide state-of-the-art medical training, andjoin efforts to ensure the survival of raptors across the globe.An experience with raptors often sparks support for TheRaptor Center. For Cheryl Jones and Gordon Uttermark,it was a family of kestrels nesting near their house.“We fell in love with those birds,” says Cheryl.Heritage SocietyNowhere is this support more apparent than among HeritageSociety members, who express their appreciation forThe Raptor Center through their generous giving. Withno children or extended family, Gordon and Cherylhave designated The Raptor Center as the beneficiary oftheir estate. As retired 3M scientists, Gordon and Cherylunderstand that research of the type done at The RaptorCenter is enormously expensive. “Plus, it requires a formof long-term thinking that is not feasible for today’s largepublicly held companies,” says Cheryl.The Links that Bind UsThe interrelationship between humans and raptorscontinues to fascinate Cheryl and Gordon. “Like raptors,we are ‘top of the food chain’ predators. But unlikethem, we are changing the environment. I hope our givingencourages others to think beyond today. We needto leave the next generation a better environmentallegacy,” says Cheryl. “And The Raptor Center is one ofthe best ways to achieve this.”The Heritage Society acknowledgesindividuals who have made a futuregift to The Raptor Center. If you areconsidering a legacy gift, please call thedevelopment office at 612-625-8480.* To conserve paper and resources, a listing of supporters is now available online at www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu.10 2007 Annual Report The Raptor CenterLori Arent, M.S.Clinic manager, master falconer, researcher,and author, Lori Arent’s responsibilitiesrange from monitoring the raptors’condition to supervising clinic staff,students, and hundreds of clinic and flightcrew volunteers. “I find joy in continuing tolearn across so many different venues.”

Profit and Loss Statementfor the Fiscal YearEnding June 30, 2007INCOMEGifts - Annual Fund $731,402Gifts - Endowment $181,350Earned Income $370,507Endowment Revenues $112,980CVM/Tuition $250,882State Allocations $33,125Total Income $1,680,246Ron WinchEXPENSESSalaries & Benefits $795,412Supplies, Equipment & Other $563,882Material for Resale $34,195Total Expenses $1,393,489Net Income $286,757A Strong Financial BaseFiscal Year July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007For The Raptor Center to fulfill its mission, a strongfinancial base is essential. In 2007, we began workingto increase our endowment, thereby strengtheningour reserves. We also benefited from two major grantsand two fundraisers. Revenue drivers include:• A new challenge grant, Katherine G.Andersen Fund of the St. Paul Foundation• A new grant for holistic avian influenza researchand surveillance program.Funded by the National Institutes of Health, TheRaptor Center will coordinate the surveillance ofwild birds in the Mississippi flyway.• New friend and donor fundraisers, Raptor Bowland Hope is the Thing with Feathers• Enhanced development programThe Raptor Center Income:$1,680,246A Gifts - Annual Fund 44%B Gifts - Endowment 11%C Earned Income 22%D CVM/ Tuition 15%E Endowment Revenues 7%F State Allocations 2%The Raptor Center Expenses:$1,393,489A Clinic 37%B Education 36%C Fundraising 8%D Administration 15%E Merchandise & Events 4%2007 Annual Report The Raptor Center 11

Building on Our LegacyIn 2007, The Raptor Center Advisory Board and TheCenter leadership engaged in the second phase of ourstrategic planning process by looking at our externalgoals and vision. Twenty individuals, including donors,volunteers, and business professionals as well as conservation,environmental, education, and wildlife veterinarymedicine experts joined the staff in the two-dayworkshop. We considered ways to leverage our expertisein raptors and conservation medicine with our emergingfocus on ecosystem health. We determined thatThe Center’s perspective of raptors as a lens on theecosystem aligns with the University’s goals forenvironmental research and public engagement.“Helping opinion leaders, children, andthe public view ecosystems throughthe lens of the raptor is essential forunderstanding the environment.”– Denny SchulstadBoard MembersGreg FouksBoard Chair, Managing Director,HRValue GroupEllen AndersenNext Generation FundChris HeeterPresident and Founding Director,The Wild InstituteSteven RayPresident, Ray & AssociatesDennis SchulstadRetired U.S. Air Force ReserveBrigadier General, University ofMinnesota Alumni Association PastPresident, and Community VolunteerWayne PetersenDirector of Advertising &Promotions, Minnesota WildSusan PlatouCommunity VolunteerJulie LeeCommunity VolunteerJim SchillingPresident, Medical TechnologiesMark CitsaySales and Marketing Manager,Aspen Research CorporationThe Raptor CenterCollege of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Minnesota1920 Fitch Ave.St. Paul, MN 55108, USA612-624-4745 (t)612-624-8740 (f )www.TheRaptorCenter.org@ 2007 The Raptor CenterAll rights reserved.Printed with soy inks and 10 percent post-consumer recycled paper.