Team Raptor Rehab: From Rescue to Release

On the edge of Lake Lavon in Lucas, Texas, the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center (BPRC) stands as a raptor hospital for injured, sick, and orphaned birds of prey. Since its founding in 2004, BPRC has treated over 5,600 raptors, with nearly 800 cared for each year. The center is a lifeline in North Texas for these apex predators, whose survival is critical to ecological balance. The Glotzbach Raptor Hospital delivers high-quality medical care under the guidance of an experienced veterinarian and over 50 dedicated volunteers. 

These raptors arrive injured — from car collisions and rodenticide poisoning to electrocution and habitat loss. With less than 1% of the original Blackland Prairie remaining, the ecosystems these birds rely on are rapidly disappearing. Yet, against the odds, BPRC maintains a 75% release success rate, far above the national average of 40-50%. Each bird receives individualized care, including diagnostics, wound treatment, and flight reconditioning, often at a fraction of standard veterinary costs.

Every raptor that arrives at our center receives a comprehensive intake exam—including radiographs and bloodwork—valued at approximately $300. But the road to recovery doesn’t end there. The full cost to rehabilitate a patient, including daily feeding, medical treatment, housing, and physical therapy, begins at $1,500 and can rise significantly depending on the severity of the injury and length of stay in our care.

While we’ve never turned a raptor away, the demands on our resources intensify during baby season—when admissions surge and food costs alone can climb to $20,000 per month. With your support, we can continue to offer lifesaving care to every injured bird of prey that comes through our doors. Together, we can give these vital hunters a second chance to soar.