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February/March 2008

August/September 2007

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Oxbow Park Annual Children's Halloween Party

New Exhibit is For the Birds

What do you do when an exhibit deteriorates to the point where repairs are not economical, and it’s time to build a new one? Built in the 70’s, the old exhibit had served it purpose, and now a plan for replacement was needed. As they have done many times before, the park staff turned to Byron Stadsvold, the architect who has donated his design plans for all the newer zoo displays.

The raptor’s new enclosure is projected to cost $46,000. Funding  for this project comes from donations received from the more than 50,000 annual visitors to the Park and Zoo. The Friends of Oxbow are stepping in if additional funds are needed.   Without this support the project would not be possible.

Raptor Construction Video

Although Friends is actively soliciting for its’ current project, the new Wildcat Exhibit, the cost of that project is very high ($90,000) and at the current rate of donations, it is going to take several years to accumulate sufficient funds, so the decision was made to assist with funding the raptor building if needed.

The new exhibit will be built in the same location as the current one. Construction will start in June and should be finished by late fall.  Raptors do  not tolerate  the loud  noises and  activity of construction so they will be off display for the summer.

Visitors will still be able see our most common raptors up close and personal though, since Friends-sponsored summer interns will often be showing our native Red-tailed Hawk, Screech Owl, Kestrel and Saw-whet owl.

The new habitat will be almost 40% larger than the current one and will feature a design similar to that of the fox and bobcat – two larger end towers (for eagles and vultures) with lower areas in between. Similar stone will be used in the back walls to keep the “look” of all the exhibits consistent.  Flexible mesh walls will prevent the birds from harming themselves if they fly up against them when startled, but will be nearly invisible to visitors viewing them from outside. 

 

 

 

 

 

The split rail safety barrier will be similar to those all around the rest of the park.

 Donations are needed for both the Wild Cat and Raptor exhibits. Anyone wishing to donate can contact the park staff or Friends of Oxbow. 

The park staff wish to thank all those generous visitors who donate the money needed to rebuild this exhibit for the magnificent native raptors.