REGI Bird Rehabilitation
WHAT IS REGI?
REGI is pronounced just like Reggie. It stands for Raptor Education Group, Inc. and is located right here in Wisconsin — Antigo, to be exact. It’s mission is the “care and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned native bird species and public education of wildlife issues.” The bird-loving people of REGI have three goals that help them with their mission.
To create a safe haven for injured wildlife while they heal and until they are ready to be released back into the wild.
To develop nutritional protocol, rehabilitation methods and husbandry based on the natural history of the bird to assure a successful release.
To create a broader understanding of native birds, their behavior and habitat needs among the public and the scientific community.
REGI does very serious and important work. It holds permits from both the State of Wisconsin and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to possess threatened and endangered indigenous species for rehabilitation and educational purposes. We are members of both the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Raptor Research Foundation and American Society of Ornithology.
They have just three rehabilitators and one full-time educator, but manage to care for between 600 and 800 bird patients annually. Their patient-to-release ratio is one of the highest in the world! They say, “Success for us means a second chance at life for our patients.”
REGI EDUCATION PROGRAMS
REGI also conducts over 250 educational programs each year, in addition to training intern students, professors, and veterinarians from around the globe. We went to one of their Raptor Education programs and it was very exciting. You can read about it HERE.
REGI RAPTOR TOURS
They also have Raptor Tours where you can “discover the amazing adaptations and powerful beauty of birds of prey.” REGI invites you to “come meet our avian ambassadors and learn all about their species and how they ended up at their facility. Tours run in June through August, and there is even a special Owl-o-Ween Tour in October. You can find a schedule of upcoming tours along with online registration instructions on their website.
REGI SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS
And you won’t believe this. They also have Raptor Summer Camps for kids! You can pay by the day or for a week at a time. REGI says, “Raptor Adventures Summer Camp is a wonderful opportunity to get young people outside and connected to nature. Our mission is to encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of wildlife and the habitats in which they depend on to survive and to foster responsible environmental stewardship.” Each day features live birds of prey, nature exploration, group games, free play, nature study, and arts and crafts! You can find a schedule of upcoming camps along with online registration instructions on their website.
REGI GIFT SHOP
You can get some of the coolest birding gifts ever at the REGI gift shop. Check the LINKS section below to start your shopping trip. Here’s a peek at some of the fun merch.
IMPORTANT LINKS
For the REGI website click HERE
To learn how to make your backyard safe for birds, click HERE
To shop at the REGI gift shop, click HERE
To learn what to do and who to contact in the case of a bird emergency, click HERE
To learn what to do if you find a baby bird, click HERE
To make a donation to REGI, click HERE
To adopt a bird, help buy supplies, or sponsor a bird patient, click HERE