Male Golden eagle in current enclosure

Tucson Wildlife Center (TWC) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) started construction on February 7, 2013, on two new eagle flight enclosures at TWC’s east-side property.

TWC’s current raptor enclosure isn’t large enough to be fully functional for eagle rehabilitation. The wingspan of a golden eagle can reach seven and a half feet. Most of the eagles TWC receives have lead poison and require intense and lengthy treatment. The current enclosure serves as the final stage of rehabilitation for all of TWC’s large raptors and can be very busy, but is essential to these magnificent bird’s recovery and ultimate survival in the wild. TWC has one golden eagle being rehabilitated in the current raptor enclosure.

The need for these new enclosures is a result of TWC’s increased intake, so funds were raised specifically to build two massive side-by-side enclosures. They will be the largest of their kind in Southern Arizona.

Lisa Bates, co-founder of TWC, estimates the entire project should be completed by July 2013. She says, “This is a great opportunity to showcase the cooperation between TEP and TWC and will ultimately benefit the entire community.” TEP has donated 17 power poles and volunteered man hours to set the poles and run wire across the top of the structures. Ben Cole, Architect is credited for his volunteer work in designing this one-of-a-kind custom masterpiece.

Tucson Wildlife Center offers a 24-hour emergency room, volunteer veterinarians on call, trained rehabilitation experts to care for injured and orphaned wild animals, release transportation to native habitat, and educational opportunities. All services are provided free to the public.

Photos above & below taken by me today during a visit. TEP crews constructing first of two new raptor enclosures, 10 x 15 x 80 feet and 20 x 20 x 100 feet, double the length of current enclosure.

Photos of the only Golden eagle currently at the TWC, a one year old male which was picked up on October 30, 2012 starving in Wilcox, due to lead poisoningg from eating shot prey. He will be released when his stamina has improved and the weather is warmer.

Tucson Wildlife Center is located way out east at 13275 E. Speedway. I reported in October, 2012 when they held the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of their future Sam Goodman Wildlife Hospital (click here for photos).

To report injured wildlife, call 520-290-WILD. Their current “critter count” was at 68 animals today, see photo below. No injured roadrunners are in captivity at the present there, but I did see two wild ones just running around the enclosures.