Appeal to save falconry centre after owl killed and rare birds stolen
An appeal has been launched to save a falconry centre that is on the brink of going out of business after eight valuable birds were stolen and another killed during a raid.
Last week thieves targeted the Owl and Falconry Centre, at Shipley, near Wolverhampton and made off with the birds, estimated to be worth more than £8,000.
The haul included a Gyrfalcon, a Pure Saker falcon and a Tribred falcon, while a Burrowing Owl was killed, seemingly following a struggle.
The raid has left the centre, which opened in 2012, facing a struggle to stay afloat.
It is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies on visitors to fund its annual running costs.
Now bosses are asking for donations to contribute towards the centre's upkeep.
Head keeper Karl Law said: "We've taken a lot of calls since the incident last week and most of them are from people wishing us well for the future.
"We get no external funding and to keep going we need people to keep coming through the doors. With the loss of so many birds our task has become much harder.
"We are appealing to members of the public to support us any way they can."
Mr Law said he was contacted by police over the weekend whop told him that one of the birds may have been located in Derby, although it turned out to be a false alarm.
Around 35 staff volunteer at the centre, which also runs wildlife education classes for students at Dudley College.
To find out how to help the centre call Mr Law on 01384 221641.
Anyone with information on the raid is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101.
Alternatively people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A meeting will be held at the end of the month to decide the centre's future.
