The World Bird Sanctuary has a long and rich history as a wildlife rescue and education facility. Founded in 1977, the sanctuary started with just a few injured birds and has grown into a world-renowned organization with over 400 resident birds from around the globe.
When was the World Bird Sanctuary founded?
The World Bird Sanctuary (WBS) was founded in 1977 by naturalist Walter Crawford. Crawford had been rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds since the 1950’s. His passion for birds led him to create a safe haven for injured and orphaned wild birds that could no longer survive in the wild.
Where is the World Bird Sanctuary located?
The World Bird Sanctuary is located just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It sits on 305 acres of woods, ponds, streams, and meadows in Valley Park, Missouri. This provides a natural and serene environment for the birds residing at the sanctuary.
What was Walter Crawford’s background before founding WBS?
Walter Crawford had a lifelong passion for birds and other wildlife. Some key points about his background:
- Grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where he spent much time observing nature and wildlife
- Served in WWII and worked for Missouri Department of Conservation after returning
- Started rehabilitating wild birds as a hobby in the 1950’s
- Received numerous injured birds from the public that could not be released
- Decided to create a permanent sanctuary and rehabilitation facility for unreleasable birds
What was the original purpose of the World Bird Sanctuary?
The World Bird Sanctuary was founded with two main goals:
- To provide a permanent home for injured, orphaned and imprinted wild birds that could not survive on their own in nature
- To advance public education about birds and conservation through programs and visitor interactions
By housing unreleasable birds and showcasing them to the public, WBS aimed to inspire greater appreciation for avian wildlife.
How did the bird population grow in the early years?
In the early years, WBS started with just a few injured and imprinted birds that Walter Crawford had collected over the years through his rehabilitation work. This included raptors, waterfowl, songbirds and more. The population grew steadily in the first decade through the following:
- Additional bird rescues and surrenders from the public
- Birds donated from zoos and other facilities
- Offspring produced from pairs at the sanctuary
- Increased capacity to house more birds
Starting from just a handful of birds in 1977, WBS was home to over 60 resident birds by the mid-1980s.
How did the facilities and grounds develop?
The facilities and grounds of WBS have expanded significantly over the decades to better serve the birds and public. Some key developments include:
- 1979 – Built first public education amphitheater for bird presentations
- 1985 – Established the Raptor Rehabilitation Clinic for injured birds
- 1992 – Opened the Nature Center with exhibits and classrooms
- 1998 – Completed 40 acre free-flight aviary for exercise and breeding
- 2000s – Added more ponds, aviaries, nursery building, and medical clinic
Through continued construction and habitat management, WBS has created an ideal environment for hundreds of resident ambassador birds over the years.
How many bird species are represented at WBS?
The World Bird Sanctuary is home to over 400 birds representing 120 different species. This includes native Missouri birds, species from across North America, and exotic birds from around the world. Some examples of the diversity include:
| Bird Group | Example Species |
|---|---|
| Eagles | Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, African Fish Eagle |
| Hawks | Red-Tailed Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk |
| Owls | Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl |
| Cranes | Sandhill Crane, Blue Crane, Sarus Crane |
| Parrots | Macaw, Cockatoo, Conure, Parakeet |
| Waterfowl | Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser |
How many visitors does WBS receive annually?
As a leading avian education facility, the World Bird Sanctuary welcomes over 140,000 visitors per year. This includes:
- General public visiting the grounds
- School groups attending educational programs
- Participants in summer camps and specialized programs
- Attendees at special events like Bald Eagle Days
WBS offers public programs 7 days per week throughout the year, ensuring constant educational impact within the community.
How is WBS funded?
As a non-profit organization, the World Bird Sanctuary relies on a mix of funding sources to operate, including:
- Donations from private individuals/foundations
- Revenue from admissions and program fees
- Grants from government agencies and corporations
- Income from endowments and investments
- Funds from annual membership fees and appeals
Roughly 50% of the annual budget comes from program service revenue, while the remaining 50% comes from grants, donations, and other charitable sources.
How many staff and volunteers work at WBS?
It takes a team to run an organization as large and complex as the World Bird Sanctuary. The WBS staff includes:
- 12 full-time staff responsible for bird care, facilities, administration
- Over 25 part-time employees to help run programs and visitor services
- 100 active volunteers who donate over 20,000 hours annually
Volunteers are critical for helping with habitat management, office work, education programs, and special events.
What education programs are offered?
WBS runs extensive on-site and outreach education programs to fulfill its wildlife conservation mission, including:
- Daily flighted bird demonstrations and interpretive exhibits
- School field trips with grade-specific curriculum
- Overnight camps, courses, and workshops for all ages
- Offsite Outreach Programs bringing birds to other facilities/events
- Eagle training workshops for master falconers
- Internships and volunteer training
Education programs represent the core of WBS’s purpose – using birds to inspire environmental stewardship.
What species breeding/recovery work occurs?
In addition to rescue and education, WBS participates in avian recovery efforts by breeding endangered species and reintroducing them to the wild when possible. Some examples include:
- Trumpeter Swan – Part of restoration effort to expand species range
- Mississippi Kite – Birds banded and released to repopulate in Missouri
- Puerto Rican Parrot – Part of captive breeding program for this endangered species
- California Condor – Raised chicks for release into protected habitats
By contributing to breeding projects, WBS helps preserve threatened wild bird populations for the future.
How has WBS impacted bird conservation?
Over its 45+ year history, the World Bird Sanctuary has made significant contributions to bird conservation, including:
- Cared for over 5,000 wild birds in rehabilitation clinic
- Provided permanent home for over 1,000 unreleasable birds
- Inspired more responsible environmental stewardship in over 2 million visitors
- Educated over 1 million schoolchildren on ecosystems and conservation
- Bred endangered species and reintroduced over 250 birds to native habitats
- Trained over 500 falconers in proper raptor handling techniques
- Served as model for establishing other wildlife sanctuaries
Both through direct action and by inspiring others, WBS has helped advance the preservation of wild bird populations around the world.
What are some key milestones in WBS history?
Some major milestones and achievements in the World Bird Sanctuary’s development include:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Founded by Walter Crawford in St. Louis, MO |
| 1985 | Opened Raptor Rehabilitation Clinic |
| 1995 | Became first facility to breed California Condors in captivity |
| 1998 | Opened 40 acre Free Flight Aviary |
| 2005 | Surpassed 1 million visitors mark |
| 2011 | Received AZA Conservation Award |
| 2022 | Celebrated 45 years of operation with 400+ birds |
How has WBS had to adapt to challenges?
Like any organization, WBS has faced challenges over the decades and has adapted its strategies, including:
- Financial constraints – Expanded fundraisers, partnerships, fee programs
- Changing regulations – Adjusted protocols to meet wildlife rehabilitation policies
- Increased urbanization – Focused on habitat management and buffer zones
- COVID-19 pandemic – Developed virtual programs and revamped visitor procedures
- Growing collections – Built additional aviaries and enclosures to house more birds
By flexibly responding to emerging issues, WBS has continued fulfilling its mission even under difficult circumstances.
How can you visit and support WBS?
There are many ways to visit, get involved with, and support the World Bird Sanctuary:
- Visit the sanctuary in Valley Park, MO – Open daily with $13 admission
- Attend special events like Bald Eagle Days in January
- Sign up for summer camps, courses, and custom programs
- Volunteer to help with habitat, events, office work, and more
- Donate to help fund food, medical care, and facility improvements
- Spread awareness through social media and word-of-mouth
With community passion and support, WBS can continue its mission for decades to come!
Conclusion
For over 45 years, the World Bird Sanctuary has provided critical rescue and rehabilitation services for wild birds while advancing public education on avian conservation. Through caring for hundreds of permanent resident birds, welcoming over 2 million visitors, breeding endangered species, training raptor enthusiasts, and inspiring environmental stewardship in the community, WBS has made a significant impact in the field of bird preservation both locally and globally. As it moves forward, WBS will continue adapting to meet new challenges while staying true to its mission of using the wonders of birds to encourage a sustainable future.
