Raptor Education Center’s New Clinic Taking Shape, Help Still Needed
The walls are beginning to rise on the new clinic at the Antigo-based raptor education group Inc., as fund-raising to complete the work continues.
Marge Gibson, executive director of the internationally-renowned wildlife rehabilitation organization, commonly known as REGI, said donations toward the project are an excellent way to show the community’s support for its ongoing work, largely focused on rehabilitating injured bald eagles and other raptors such as hawks and owls, along with a key educational component.
“This is Antigo’s chance to truly be a part of this exciting opportunity and our future,” Gibson said. “We need the community’s support.”
Gibson stressed that work is being done by local contractors. Reif Construction handled design and is constructing the new clinic, while County Materials donated the sand and concrete.
The facility will include separate patient examination rooms and housing for different species, a quarantine area, a separate space for food preparation, and an Xray facility. REGI has already purchased the walk-in cooler and food preparation equipment from the Elcho school district, which has constructed a new kitchen and cafeteria, and will install it in the new building.
In addition, the larger space will more easily accommodate summer interns during their training and medical experts during their visits.
“Life at REGI for our patients, staff and students is only going to get better. And we will have a bathroom in the new clinic that we can use,” Gibson said. For the past several years, the bathroom in the current clinic has been taken over by patients.”
The project has an estimated price tag of $175,000.
Located southeast of Antigo, REGI cares for 800 to 900 injured and orphan bird patients each year including approximately 100 bald eagles and endangered species. It also provides public appearances and tours for more than 200 groups annually.
To donate to the project, visit the website at raptoreducationgroup.org.