Birds of prey get a second chance at life in the wild along Caddo Lake

MARION COUNTY, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — Two birds of prey have received a second chance at life in the wild along Caddo Lake in Texas.

The birds have been cared for by Last Chance Forever, The Bird of Prey Conservancy, for months. The nonprofit has been helping to rehabilitate, care for, and release lost, sick, and injured birds back into the wild for over 40 years.

On Saturday, Shreveport attorney Marshall Jones and his family helped release a red-tailed hawk and a bald eagle back into the wild along a portion of Caddo Lake.

“They may or may not live here. We just use this as a staging area. And this gives them a safe place to be. To get used to being out in the outdoors again,” said John Karger, Executive Director of Last Chance Forever, The Bird of Prey Conservancy. “And to be able to feed in a good place. A solid place that has plenty of food.”

The conservancy receives upwards of 240 injured birds each year. Through generous donations, Karger says, with each bird they take the time to give it a new lease on life.

“The state of Texas and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not provide this service. They do help us by getting birds to us, but they don’t provide any money to us. Not a single penny,” said Karger.

The red-tailed hawk was rehabbed for five months, the bald eagle seven, said Karger.

“I know by the time that I’ve released this bird, it’s been tested three times to capture live prey. It has also been tested multiple times for its health and strength. They literally had to be put on the ground, walk away from them, they’ve got to fly like they are going to fly over the tops of the trees,” said Karger. “So we put a line on them and let them fly great distances. So I know we have given them the very best chance of surviving once they leave here.”

Jones and his family have sponsored the conservancy’s efforts on Caddo Lake for a decade.