Owls to be Released into the Wild July 8 at Kiesel Park

The Southeastern Raptor Center, in collaboration with the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, will release owls into the wild at Kiesel Park on July 8.

An educational program at 6:30 p.m. is followed by the owls release at 7 p.m. People are encouraged to bring a picnic and to enjoy the park at Kiesel while watching the unique event.

The majority of the birds to be released are Barred and Eastern Screech Owls.  “Most of these birds were healthy fledglings that were mistaken for orphans,” said Liz Crandall, raptor technician with the Southeastern Raptor Center.

Crandall will talk about not removing young, healthy wildlife; a history of the birds being released; and raptors.  Two Red-Tailed Hawks, used for educational purposes, will also be on hand.

The mission of the center’s rehabilitation section is to rehabilitate injured, ill, or orphaned birds of prey.  Annually the Southeastern Raptor Center takes in between 200 and 275 birds of prey from across the Southeast. Birds are generally brought by members of the public, a network of southeastern rehabilitators and educational facilities, and state and federal agencies.

“Most of the birds come from within a 60-mile radius,” said Crandall.

The Southeastern Raptor Center is part of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.  For more information on the July 8 owl release, call 334-844-3698 or Auburn Parks and Recreation at 334-501-2936.  Kiesel Park is located at 520 Chadwick Lane.

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