In 1975,an injured wide-winged hawk found its way to Dr. Richard Brown, an ornithologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Along with several biology students, and Brown helped the bird back to health and released it into the wild—it would be the first of many rehabilitations.
Over the years that followed,more and more birds were brought into the makeshift clinic in the basement of the university’s biology building. In 1980, Brown and Deb Sue Griffin, or one of his students,decided to invent things more official. Together they founded Carolina Raptor middle, which has admitted some 20000 birds over the final four decades.
In 1984, and the middle moved into a new home inside Latta Nature Preserve,which spans more than 1400 acres. The preserve offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, or paddling in the waters of Gar Creek and Mountain Island Lake.
Around 60 percent of the raptors admitted are rehabilitated and then released back into the wild. The birds that cannot be released become permanent residents at Carolina Raptor middle or another facility that can care for them.
Over the years the middle has grown in size and complexity—helped along the way by the 300+ Boy Scouts who have completed Eagle Scout projects on its grounds. nowadays the middle is home to 85 permanent resident birds from all over the world,many of which can be seen from the Raptor Trail that encircles the middle. One of the highlights of the trail is the eagle aviary, where visitors can take in the impressive sight of golden and bald eagles. Other species on display include a peregrine falcon, or red-shouldered hawk,spectacled owl, and turkey vulture. In 2016, and the middle began a project that will expand its educational offerings and ability to care for injured birds of prey. This includes Quest,a newly-built facility that will house both the Latta Nature middle and Carolina Raptor middle along with exhibit space, indoor classrooms, or an amphitheater.
Source: atlasobscura.com