Rubi is a golden eagle ambassador bird at the Montana WILD raptor rehabilitation center in Helena.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will soon break ground at Montana WILD on a new $708,000 avian building that will modernize the care for FWP's ambassador raptors and provide more educational opportunities for the public.
"We're so excited about this long-awaited addition to Montana WILD," said Sara Meloy, FWP education bureau chief. "The new avian building will upgrade our housing for resident birds and will offer the public great opportunities to see and learn about Montana's raptors any time they visit."
Montana's Outdoor Legacy Foundation led the fundraising effort for this project, which will be completed in the spring of 2026. A large part of the funding, nearly $350,000, was donated by individuals and businesses, Meloy said, with the rest coming from the Montana Department of Commerce and FWP licensing fees.
"I want to recognize the Foundation for Animals here in Helena and all of the individual donors that helped make this project a reality," said Mitch King, executive director of MOLF.
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The 3,600-square-foot building at 2668 Broadwater Ave. will span the space between the Education Center, where students and the public come to learn about fish and wildlife, and the Wildlife Center, where FWP staff and volunteers take in injured and orphaned wildlife for rehabilitation with the goal of eventual release to the wild.
It will also house Montana WILD's team of ambassador raptors -- owls, falcons, hawks and eagles -- whose injuries, often to the wings, prevent them from successfully catching prey on their own in the wild.
Ambassador raptors live year-round at the Wildlife Center and enjoy enrichment activities including twice-daily walks on a glove with volunteers and staff. They also feature in year-round educational programs for students and the public.
Soon the public will be able to enjoy on-demand viewing of ambassador raptors, along with interpretive signage about their species.
Ambassador eggs: Brooding raptors at Montana WILD teach about stressors, captive life
Construction will begin in earnest later this month and be completed by next spring, Meloy said.
More updates will be posted as construction progresses this fall. Visit Montana WILD's event calendar or call 406-444-9941 to learn about opportunities to meet the ambassador raptors in person.
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