Text and Photography by Jerry Luterman
They reside in the higher air currents of our minds, symbolizing freedom, wisdom and strength. As strong as they may seem to us, only 30 percent of raptor species make it beyond their first year. So when we see a mature bird of prey, we are witnessing not only a beautiful creature, but also an animal that has overcome some tough odds. Sometimes even these hardy survivors need a helping hand due to disease, illegal shootings, lead poisoning or accidents. That’s when the Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) outside Antigo steps in as avian first responders. Founded in 1990 by Marge and Don Gibson, REGI has rehabilitated and released thousands of raptors and other bird species back into the wild. There are some birds whose injuries or illnesses were so severe, however, that they can’t be released. At REGI, these birds get a new career as educators, teaching thousands about wildlife ecology and preservation. Their stories inspire us, their eyes pierce us and their majestic beauty is matched by few other creatures that roam the skies.
Ozzy, a male peregrine falcon, was born within the Wisconsin Peregrine Falcon Recovery Program. While the magnificent birds are capable of dives of over 200 mph, as an adult Ozzy suffered permanent damage from a gunshot wound and is no longer able to fly.
In 1995, Malcolm, a male barred owl, was hit by a car and broke his wing. Although he can’t fly anymore, he has been a terrific foster father to dozens of orphaned barred owlets that were later released into the wild.
Golden eagles like Zephyr are not native to Wisconsin, but bird watchers and wildlife biologists recently discovered a small population wintering in western Wisconsin. Zephyr came to the center suffering from lead poisoning.
Gwendolyn is a female merlin, a smaller member of the falcon family. One of her wings was severed when she hit the guy wire of a radio tower.
The female bald eagle Qushquluk, “Qush” for short, has been with REGI for 21 years. She is the only known bald eagle survivor from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. 
Although Wookie, a red-phase eastern screech owl, is only 8 inches tall and weighs a mere 7 ounces, she eats two mice a day. Wookie came to REGI after suffering from rodenticide poisoning.
During a storm, Oscar (left), a male long-eared owl, fell out of his nest and was injured by a dog. The long-eared owl is a rare sight in Wiscosnin; there are only five confirmed nests in the state.