CHARLOTTE, NC December 5, 2007 — Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (CWR), a Charlotte area-based bird rescue and rehabilitation organization, is losing their land. The rescue currently operates on donated private property, but that land is being sold by its owner. It’s not a new problem for CWR, unfortunately. The rescue has had to move 3 times in the past 5 years, because as a nonprofit organization, they lack the funds to buy their own permanent home. Mathias Engelmann with Carolina Raptor Center says "Carolina Waterfowl Rescue has played a very important role in the community over the past few years. It would be a tremendous loss—not just to Charlotte and the surrounding counties but to the whole state—if this dedicated organization were forced to close its doors." While known for helping waterfowl, CWR does much more. This past year alone, they took in over 732 birds, over 400 of which were protected migratory birds. They rehabilitated and released 38 species of birds including raptors, songbirds, wading birds and waterfowl. To prepare for the onslaught of birds in need that comes every spring, CWR will need from 1-4 acres of donated land, access to well water and the ability to build new pre-release cages including concrete flooring and predator-proof fencing. The ideal location would also be near a pond or lake suitable for releasing birds. About Carolina Waterfowl Rescue |
