The Raptor Experience

18/06/2025

Be part of this exciting project to help boost the wild poulation of our endangered Kerearea.

Help Bring Stella home

17/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DT4hUtJxA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Our BIG News - we are bringing Stella home to Timaru!

The NZ Raptor Trust is excited to announce that, after 2 years working with DOC, we have been granted a falcon captive breeding permit.

We are only the 3rd Falcon Captive Breeding facility in NZ (alongside Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust in Rotorua, and Kārearea Falcon Trust in Blenheim).

Stella Story:
Stella originally came from Cannington, and her injuries were severe enough that she would not survive in the wild, so she is currently living the life in Blenheim as part of their captive breeding programme. She has found herself a man (Jet), and they have settled down and hope that this season there will be the pitter-patter of tiny talons.

We have an understanding with the Kārearea Falcon Trust that when we have a permit and facility, Stella and Jet will come home to our facility. We work closely with Holly, sharing knowledge and experience with raptors, and we thank Holly and her team for taking good care of her and Jet.

Where are we at currently?
* We have the captive breeding permit.
* We have the birds (well, nearly - Stella and Jet are still in Blenheim).
* All we need now is a completed facility.

Funding:
We have secured approximately 60% of the build via local grants and donations and are now looking at corporate sponsorship/private donations to enable us to complete the build, every dollar counts.

The Build:
Currently, we are in the middle of building a dedicated captive breeding and rehabilitation facility, and home for Stella and other NZ Falcons. This facility will be alongside our current rehab Hawk and Owl facilities.

Who should you talk to?
If you want any further information, please contact Jenni Fraser on 021 896 268 or email [email protected]; donations accepted via https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-bring-stella-home.

02/03/2025

Ron and Prince caught on camera at the Wi******er show recently.

24/07/2024

06/06/2024

A few of our team had the absolute pleasure of doing an education session with The Raptor Experience last month.
🦅🦅🦅

Have you been? We reckon it's a pretty amazing memory to gift the whānau for Christmas 🎄

06/06/2024

16/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JivJ3DbXyKoHpWKA/?mibextid=WC7FNe

National Endangered Species Day - 17 May 2024.

Today is National Endangered Species Day and although the NZ Falcon (Kārearea) is not on the endangered list, they are still a threatened species and worthy of highlighting their conservation status:
• Southern Falcons are Threatened–Nationally Endangered
• Eastern Falcons are Threatened–Nationally Vulnerable
• Bush Falcons are Threatened–Nationally Increasing

Population: Uncertain but likely between 5,000–8,000

Whats happened to the five Eastern NZ Falcons we have had in our care:
1. Jenny and Stella (not able to be released) have gone to join the captive breeding programme at Kārearea Falcon Trust in Blenheim
2. Amber and Hunter are back in the wild.
3. Kenzo is preparing to go back into the wild soon.
So each of our birds are still helping the population to grow.

What can you do to help, if you find an injured Falcon get in touch with us immediately or if you see a well NZ Falcon (Kārearea), then please log your findings on Wingspans website , this way we can establish how many Falcons are out there in the wild. There is a really cool map showing sightings all around NZ. https://www.wingspan.co.nz/report_new_zealand_falcon_sighting.html

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/nz-falcon-karearea/ #2

https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/new-zealand-falcon

20/01/2024

The dedication of a mother eagle to her chicks.

22/12/2023

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/LywU4QwmiKLpBsJs/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Merry Christmas all, thankyou to everyone this year who:
* rescued a bird
* provided food
* supported our site development
* participating in our Raptor Experience / education programme
* gave a donation / supported our fundraising
* and those that volunteered with us