By Kristen Garza

Many California State University of Bakersfield students are unaware of a special program on campus known as  the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment. The facility is located on the southeast corner of campus behind the track and softball fields. The facility is open to the public on Saturdays from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and is free, but donations are encouraged.
Marlene Benton, a coordinator for the ESA/FACT department of biology, a 14-year veteran of the program said, “approximately 50 percent of the birds rescued are treated and released, the rest are kept for educational purposes.”
A unique attraction to the facility is a 19-year-old golden eagle, with a seven-foot wingspan named Holley. Holley is what the facility calls a “permanent resident” because she’s been at the facility since she was very young and the window of opportunity to release her was missed, so she will forever call F.A.C.T. her home.
Donna Noce, 24, a graduate student in biology, is the facility’s tour guide. Noce said, “What’s interesting about Holley is at other facilities or zoos people may notice their eagles don’t vocalize, they’re quiet. Holley, however, enjoys talking to the guests.”
The tour is intended to be educational and full of facts about birds of prey like how peregrine falcons can dive for their prey at 200 miles-per-hour. According to Noce, another interesting example is that owls’ eyes do not move in their sockets like humans and, in order to compensate for this, their heads can turn more than 180 degrees.
The tour also allows an up close encounter with a barn owl so visitors can see firsthand one of the facility’s unique birds of prey.
According to the CSUB webpage dedicated to F.A.C.T. their “mission is to serve as wild life rescue, conservation and education project for CSUB.”
Some of the raptors the facility works to conserve include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures and condors.
With the potential for many species at the facility at any given time, the cost of caring for them can be great. Since F.A.C.T.’s operational costs rely on donations it is important to visit the facility and donate.
Benton said, “The facility’s biggest obstacle is the lack of donations. We don’t have the funding to build enclosures and therefore accept more animals.”
Also, spring brings F.A.C.T.’s baby bird shower where visitors are encouraged to bring gifts to care for the newborn birds such as heating pads and monetary donations for food. At this time, visitors will be treated to special events and viewings.
Visit the F.A.C.T. facility or webpage for more information on ways you can help support these endangered and protected birds. You can also like them on facebook.com.
With spring approaching and animals waking from hibernation and having their young on and around campus, be sure to keep an eye out. If you find an injured bird or a hatchling not in its nest call the bird rescue hotline 661-654-BIRD or notify Marlene Benton by phone at 661-654-3167.