By: Elizabeth Cortez
Staff Writer
18 year old Golden Eagle on Nov. 2.
An open house event at the environmental studies area at California State University, Bakersfield featured live birds of prey, including a beautiful golden eagle and red-tail hawks, for many local families on Saturday, Nov.2. The event took place at Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (FACT), a
place where private citizens, wildlife biologists, and veterinarians can bring wild animals.
“I love the red-tail hawks because they are the bigger birds —they are really beautiful. I just think their coloring is gorgeous,” said Cassi Cortez, biology major at CSUB.
The famous red-tail hawks are often featured in films. Mistakenly, some people think they are vultures, confusing their majestic noise with that of eagles.
During the tour by Cortez, a golden eagle named Holly was showcased to the excited spectators. The tour guides explained that golden eagles are very similar to bald eagles. The bald eagle, not actually bald, is the United States’ national bird, which was adopted as an emblem in 1972. In order to protect them, The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was passed.
Cleverly, FACT’s injured mascot with a broken wing is named Ill Eagle: a reminder that it is illegal to hunt or take these wild birds.
“On average we take in between 250 and 300 animals a year,” said Marlene Benton, the program coordinator for FACT and the environmental studies area.
Barn Owls on Nov. 2.
“We got an endowment several years ago that provides most of the funding that we need for the facility. [However], we also host fundraisers and open house events. That’s a way to get additional funds so that we can provide better care for the animals. Also, funds help to update our facilities,” Benton added.
The event was fun for the visitors and the kids participated in a scavenger hunt. The children were instructed to act like a kit fox scavenging for things such as owl pellets, pine cones, seeds, and feathers. Upon seeing the first owl, the children were amazed that the owl could completely turn its head in a full circle.
“I think it’s wonderful that they are taking care of the animals. I like that this is a safe place where people can bring animals. When [FACT’s employees and volunteers] find them injured, and they rehabilitate them, and then their ultimate goal is to release them into the wild,” said Nicole
Horton, a mother of two young children.
Great Horned Owl on Nov. 2.
“My favorite owl was the great horned owl that they took out up close, and we got to see it really near our face, and got to check out its eyes. It was pretty impressive for the kids,” Horton added.
FACT open house is a free event on the first Saturday of the month. So, in December and then February through May students can attend and learn about the conservation of wildlife through the rehabilitation funded by this unique project at CSUB.
