
BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A forest near Bellevue has opened a $2 million exhibit containing 13 species of raptors.
Fontenelle Forest held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit on Tuesday afternoon.
The forest’s director of education Elizabeth Chalen says the Raptor Woodland Refuge gives the public the opportunity to learn about raptors, conservation efforts and the birds’ roles in the ecosystem. The exhibit holds species such as turkey vultures, ferruginous hawks and great horned owls.
Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Recovery team rescues sick and injured raptors and rehabilitates them before releasing them back into the wild. Chalen says the team treats about 500 raptors each year.
The exhibit was mostly funded through grants, foundations and individual donors.