Waaaaarrrr eagle, hey!
Have you ever wondered where the eagles that ceremoniously circle Jordan-Hare Stadium before every Auburn football home game are kept?
The Southeastern Raptor Center is a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for birds of prey that need a second chance at life in the wild. It has been around since the mid-1970s, founded by Dr. Jimmy Milton, and has developed into the rehabilitation hub for any injured, ill or orphaned raptor gathered within the Southeast.
"To me, eagles are a symbol of our American heritage," said Reaves Coker, senior in finance. "Every time I wave my hand in the air, yell 'war eagle' and see Nova or Spirit soaring overhead, the hair on the back of my neck stands up."
Although Nova, a Golden Eagle, and Spirit, a Bald Eagle -- the two eagles that are recognized for one of college football's greatest traditions -- may be the focal point in the public's eye, the center is also home to many other breeds of raptors.
The center will take in any bird of prey -- a bird with sharp talons to grab food and sharp beaks to pick food apart -- including owls, hawks, eagles, falcons and a few other species within the region.
"Our mission consists of three things," said Marianne Murphy Hudson, a raptor specialist at the SRC. "Rehab, education and conservation."
The main goal is for the veterinarian staff to treat the birds and release them back into the wild. However, if the staff deems that the bird is not fit for life in the wild again, it lives in the facility and is used for educational purposes such as demonstrations in front of schools, civic, scout or church groups.
The raptors are kept in their own carrier and are fed once a day, the normal daily intake for birds of prey. Their meals consist of other animals including rats, mice, chickens, fish and quail.
The staff trains the birds to become desensitized to noise and crowds by using them in the before-mentioned educational presentations.
However, Nova and Spirit must also be trained to make their flight over Jordan-Hare. From June to December, they are taken to the stadium and practice almost daily. When it comes to game day, the bird chosen to fly is picked based on their current behavior.
As with any other professional occupation, the eagles must "retire" at some point. Tiger, also known as War Eagle VI, made her last flight over Jordan-Hare at the Georgia game in November 2006. She is now solely used in the educational and research programs.
The center also accepts student volunteers who wish to help out with the rehabilitation process.
"Without the help that we receive from our volunteers each year, our job would not be possible," said Dr. Jamie Bellah, director of the SRC.
Dr. Bellah also explained the raptor medicine rotation elective that senior veterinarian students are able to take. The course is a two-week period of instruction and participation in training in which the student gains avian experience. The instruction also includes the legal issues of the practice because without a permit, a vet cannot perform rehabilitation.
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