The Intensive Care Unit plays an important role in the recovery of injured raptors. It allows for them to have time to heal themselves or recover from surgery or other treatments. It’s a controlled environment that not only allows the birds to recover, but also for the volunteers at the foundation to keep a close watch in those first critical weeks. When sufficiently recovered, the birds are moved from the ICU to the flight cages to facilitate the recovery of their flight and strength, and to prepare them to be released again.
The capacity of the ICU is between 25 and 35 birds. It consists of five rooms, equipped with heating units, water faucets, and drainage in a concrete floor. Space saving sliding doors, with a small viewing window to each room, allow for the birds’ peace and privacy. Windows to outdoors provide adequate ventilation and are covered with blinds to prevent an accidental “escapee” from injuring itself. The cages are designed to accomodate raptors of all sizes and various injuries.
C.C.’s Room
named after a resident Burrowing Owl, and Wendel’s Room, named for a fostering American Kestrel, have built-in cabinets, for the storage of towels, blankets, paper, perches, and astro-turf mats. Kennel carriers of various sizes hold a variety of birds, from Kestrel to Great Horned Owl.
The Insane Asylum
is named after Ludwig Leucocephalus, who was the first Bald Eagle admitted to BOP. It consists of four cages with removable partitions to increase cage sizes and provide flexibility. Two cages measure four feet in depth, and five feet in length. Two other cages measure four feet in depth and three feet in length. With the partitions removed, the four cages become two, each measuring eight feet in length. All the cages measure four feet in height, and incorporate space-saving sliding doors.
The Sundance Room
named after a Rough legged Hawk, consists of two cages, measuring three feet in depth, four feet in length, and are four feet high. Drawers underneath the cages provide storage space. All cages are furnished with clean astro-turf (daisy door-mat variety) mats for each patient, to help the bird avoid slipping on newspaper lined floors. Removable perches provide a comfortable roost. All the rooms have lighting which may be dimmed or brightened with an adjustable switch.
The Ajax Room
named after a Red-Tailed Hawk, is the lab. It has counter space, cabinets and drawers below, and a small sink. The lab is equipped with a microscope, scales, and an incubator, as well as other veterinary supplies.
This building also has a large Receiving Room, with a high table for examination and treatment of incoming patients. A large sink with counter space is used for the preparation of food and continuous cleaning chores. It is equipped with excellent lighting, washer and dryer, and adjacent office space for records maintenance.
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