The Raptor Refuge Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that reflects our dedication to caring and protecting Tasmania’s natural wildlife.
The Refuge was established by our Founder, Craig Webb, on a 20-acre property overlooking Kettering and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, after he returned from his career as a veterinary nurse in the Kimberly. Upon arrival back in Tasmania, Craig registered as a licensed wildlife carer and began setting up the Refuge.
The Refuge takes in injured birds and rehabilitates them, with an aim to release them back into the wild whenever possible. Our most common refugees are Wedge-tailed Eagles and White-bellied Sea Eagles, but we also take in other Tasmanian raptors. These birds need a lot of care and often considerable time for rehabilitation.
The Refuge features three of the largest raptor flight aviaries in the Southern Hemisphere, purpose-built to flight train birds during their recovery from injury. The nets are salmon netting from the aquaculture industry and are 26 metre wide and 21 metres at their highest point!
Along with the three huge flight aviaries, we also have a large owl aviary and nine other aviaries to house various species of raptors, with one bank of aviaries built solely for quarantine purposes.
We have a highly successful water catchment plan. Tasmania, despite being known for its cold weather, is actually quite dry a lot of the year, so this provides the Refuge a much needed resource. The Refuge is also close to the birds’ natural habitat, which is a great advantage to rehabilitation. The planting and mulching of many native trees also provides a more natural bushland setting and privacy.
The final feature of the Refuge is our purpose-built Education Centre, which is an amazing, octagonal structure, with an inspiring steel eagle sculpture by Keith Smith adorning the top of its glass turret.
