The Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust is celebrating its 21st birthday in July this year boosted by a $10,000 contribution from the Rotorua Trust.
Wingspan saves birds of prey that might be orphaned or injured. There are fewer than 10,000 New Zealand Falcon remaining, so they are at greater risk than the Kiwi with 80,000 remaining.
Wingspan manager Debbie Stewart has welcomed the gift from the Trust which is being used to build new display boards for the Birds of Prey facility located in Paradise Valley Road, and also for educational purposes during visits to schools.
The display boards include a combination of large photographs and other pictorial illustrations as well as information about the falcon and other birds of prey, such as harrier hawks and moreporks. When Wingspan opened at the current site in 2004, it received funding support from the trust.
“This Rotorua Trust grant is helping us take conservation messages to the public but particularly to the kids. The falcon could be extinct one day, so it is up to the younger generation,” Debbie says. Wingspan has gone from humble beginnings in 1992 to become recognised as New Zealand’s leading conservation, education and research organisation for birds of prey.
The Wingspan Bird of Prey Centre allows visitors to see the birds not only in an attractive, enclosed setting but also close-up during interactive flying displays during feeding times. Debbie says the birds can fly as far as the top of Mount Ngongotaha and will come back at the sound of their handler’s call.
During a visit to the enclosure, it’s clear the birds also readily recognise the presence of trainers, as Debbie is greeted with various displays and noises as she goes through the facility. But, for all their agility and cleverness,
the falcon and other birds of prey face a range of problems that threaten their future.
Like other native birds, they are open to attacks by cats and other predators. Many of the birds brought into
the centre have been injured or orphaned. This can be from an accident or even deliberately being shot.
“So our work in educating people about birds of prey, and their importance to New Zealand, is important.” Debbie says Wingspan is quite holistic in its approach to conservation. It is different to many other trusts in terms of undertaking not only education but also the captive management of birds and bringing them back to the wild.
Research is also a key component, both on-site and offsite. Wingspan is now a recognised repository of bird of prey material from museums and the Department of Conservation. Wingspan covers a wide demographic of the population, and Debbie says raising the $10,000 would take a long time.
“What is important about the Rotorua Trust support is that they are helping us to help ourselves in moving forward. They have recognised that we need key messages out there in a professional manner.” About 28 birds were at Wingspan early May this year but Wingspan’s aim is not to hold them permanently, where possible. So in February 2013, 12 birds were released – either into the wild, to horticultural blocks or for use in vineyards.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Stewart, Manager
Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust
Tel: (07) 357 4469
Email: wingspan@xtra.co.nz