Amanda has been a volunteer at Carolina Raptor Center since June 2007 and already she has made quite a big impression on staff and fellow volunteers. Amanda comes in every Saturday and feeds the diurnal (day eating) birds with another volunteer named Amanda. She also has started handling training in order to be a raptor caretaker, while also working with staff to set up our brand new enrichment program for our resident birds.

“I Graduated from Ohio State and during school I was involved in the Chimpanzee Center on campus. I would go out to the center three times a week and was given the task of playing with baby chimps (what a tough job!). Of course I got hooked on primates, and then I ended up getting a job there! The center is a cognitive non-invasive primate research facility; they focus on tool use research. I started researching the primate’s cognitive ability and utilized a touch screen computer in their training. I then moved to Oregon and ran a sanctuary out there for a year and a ½ and then moved back down to Charlotte where I am from originally.

When I moved here I was looking for volunteer opportunities that were animal related and found that there really wasn’t much out here. No zoo or research facility just the humane society. The only thing similar was CRC. I wasn’t too interested in birds, but came to orientation and figured I would give it a try. I am now hooked, I have learned more about birds then I ever knew.”

“Well I had heard that CRC wanted to start an enrichment program, I talked to staff and offered my time and enrichment expertise with primates. I have worked with captive animals before and knew that enrichment was an important part of keeping them healthy and well. Staff agrees with me but is stretched thin with time, so I kind of got it started. Right now we are in the beginning stages, I have created different enrichment items, and I am observing the birds’ behaviors toward them. Some birds don’t seem to care one way or another, some are scared and some love them. I am keeping records and soon hope to train other volunteers to participate in the enrichment program.”

“When I would come in and feed, I would see all the other volunteers and staff and everyone was so excited to be here. The veteran volunteers would come in with an eagle on their arm, and they would just know so much about the birds. I look up to them and want to learn everything they have learned. Knowing that all these volunteers had at once been where I am and now are so experienced, is really cool. I would love to be at that point someday.”

“My first bird that I handled during training was an Eastern Screech Owl, I remember thinking, I can’t believe I am doing this, am I even qualified to do this! Of course I had received training and saw many other volunteers handling them, but that was what first popped into my mind.

Also when I first trained with Dudley, a Great Horned Owl, he started hooting at me. I know he hoots at everyone but it was just so cool. He has so much personality and is always hooting. I love going to his mew.”

“I know for me, I have learned so much, even with having an animal background. Those that don’t necessarily have an animal background are going to learn so much. The staff is amazing and volunteers are great. It’s a great environment and I have learned so much. And you wouldn’t necessarily get this experience anywhere else. Anyone who even has a mild interest in birds should come out here. The learning curve is huge

Another great thing about volunteering here is that there is definitely a place for everyone here; CRC is so big and diverse. There are some places where you volunteer and the jobs are very limited but not here. You just have to figure out what will work for you. You don’t have to be out cleaning poop, or feeding. You can work in the admin office, gift shop etc… There is a place for everyone.”

We spotlight a new volunteer every month, please email lbhavnani@carolinaraptorcenter.org if you would like to see a certain volunteer spotlighted.