Wildlife Education - Green Chimneys

Talent Show with a Therapeutic Twist

February 20, 2020

Learning from Wildlife

The Paul C. Kupchok Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is home to nearly 50 permanently disabled or imprinted raptors and other wildlife. Licensed by the Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to maintain and rehabilitate birds of prey, the Center treats, rehabilitates and releases injured, orphaned or distressed birds. It specializes in hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and vultures. Songbirds and small mammals also are handled on occasion.

Children learn from a staff of state-licensed wildlife rehabilitators, an environmental educator and animal caretaker. Environmental classes provide opportunities for children to learn and appreciate nature and promote awareness of environmental conservation. Students assist in animal care by preparing diets, cleaning bowls and participating in various aspects of animal medical treatments.

Institute Interns support the program by assisting wildlife classes, working one-on-one with students, learning about wildlife rehabilitation, maintaining the center and serving as primary caregivers for the animals.

Barred Owl

This barred owl fell from his nest and ended up on the ground in New Paltz, NY where he was rescued and cared for but it was quickly apparent that he was severely disfigured. He had a twisted, crooked beak, his wing feathers weren’t fully developed and one eye was shut while the other did not look as it should. This was not a bird that could be released back into the wild. Green Chimneys wildlife specialists worked with a local veterinary hospital to improve the bird’s health and determined that the owl was totally blind in one eye and 80-90% blind in the other.