Wings of Recovery

Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue

We are doing our absolute best this year to raise a considerable amount of funds for the avian ambassadors at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, urban management of ospreys, and bird of prey rescue. 2024 has been challenging with heavy impacts from hurricanes.  Fallen trees destroyed our two largest aviaries, displacing our bald eagles.  Hurricanes destroyed dozens of osprey platforms. Numbers of trauma patients and permanent ambassadors increased. Every dollar donated will help as we lost donation opportunities and costs increased substantially. We evacuated the birds 4 times at varying levels, and it was extremely hard on all of us. During these times our college student volunteers were evacuated, and seasonal residents did not return. We could not have made it through all of it without the volunteers that were able to help, and we are so grateful for all of them.  Our birds are in great need of your help. To see a reel of this year's efforts visit our Facebook page at Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue & Sanctuary.

The Eyes Have It

Thunder, our bald eagle, needs eye surgery. She was shot in the head when she was an eaglet.  That shot blinded her right eye by severing her optic nerve.  Now that her good eye, the left eye, has the cataract, it is imperative we have the surgery to maintain her excellent quality of life. We are working with two other bald eagles, Bolt and Penelope (aka Lightning!).  All three of the eagles are temporarily displaced as the bald eagle habitat is not habitable at the moment. Their needs have never been greater.  They continue to serve the Veteran's Community, children and families. Fixing the eagle enclosure will cost at least $10,000.

Spirit, one of our peregrine falcons, hit a window in Melbourne after flying through hurricane Irma.  Spirit also needs a simple eye surgery that would help her field of vision tremendously.  Together with Thunder, the surgeries will exceed $8,000.

All of the avian ambassadors need support so that we can maintain their quality diets, their homes, and their excellent veterinary care.

Nursery in the Sky

All of the osprey platforms at Fort DeSoto Park are down, there were 7 total.  All 5 platforms on Edgewater Drive in Dunedin need checkups and repairs.  Indian Rocks bridge platform and Achieva platforms need repairs.  Likely we have one in Treasure Island that needs repairs as well. We are sure there are even more that have not even been reported yet.  We are in for a crazy osprey nesting season. Displaced ospreys can cause additional complications and costs to citizens if they nest on power lines or in other inappropriate locations. Repairs will be extremely costly and could reach up to $15,000.  These platforms are monitored and used to place orphans in with other babies when necessary.  This is our nursery in the sky. 

Rescue

Numbers of displaced and hurt animals have been very high due to the hurricanes. Rescue and transportation costs have increased, and insurance costs have increased.  Generous donors are the only way for us to continue.  We thank you for your support.