AI Issue 4 2017

32 Acquisition International - April 2017 Nestled in the green hills of South Sligo, Ireland’s largest sanctuary for raptors and owls, the Irish raptor research centre (eagles flying) is situated on more than 27 hectares of mature parklands near Ballymote. We invited managing director Lothar F. Muschketat to write about this major tourist attraction in the northern half of Ireland, following their success in winning the 2017 Business Elite Awards for Ireland. urrently the Irish Raptor Research Centre is home to more than 100 eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures. Altogether there are more than 450 birds and animals out of nearly 100 different species in the centre. Established in 1999 as an institution for research on birds of prey, parts of the area were opened to the public in 2003. Now it is one of the major tourist attractions in the northern half of Ireland. Thousands of visitors flock to see the spectacular bird shows with eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and owls. Amongst many other awards, Eagles Flying was awarded the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor in 2015 and 2016, getting 5 out of 5 points during both of these years. Scientists train these birds twice each day for visitors and give information about the biology of these magnificent creatures. During the interactive bird shows, visitors can experience different types of raptors flying right over their head or landing next to them. Some of the birds have a wingspan of up to three metres. It is also possible to touch some of the animals and some members of the audience may even have one flying on to their own hand. Company: Eagles Flying / Irish Raptor Research Centre Name: Lothar F. Muschketat Biologist DBiol MSc MIAATE MGSM MGOA Email: eagles.flying@ hotmail.com Web: www.eaglesflying.com Address: Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland Phone: +353 71 918 9310 A Bird in the Hand S 1704AI14 Eagles Flying have developed a very special, friendly way of working with raptors and other animals and there is no risk whatsoever for any member of the audience. The shows are unique - you have never been that close to raptors! Even rain cannot spoil this experience, as the shows can be presented indoors. During the shows – commencing at 11 am and 3 pm every day and lasting for approximately one hour - the birds are presented in their natural environment. Before and after the show, visitors can walk the parklands and enjoy the birds displayed in aviaries or on perches close to the walking path. Staff are always on hand to provide information on the birds and answer questions. For the ones who prefer something cuddlier; there is also a large supervised petting-zoo. Here, visitors can get hands-on with guinea-pigs, pigs, rabbits, lambs, goats, donkeys, ferrets and many more. Rosie the 350-kg pig gives kids a proper piggy-back ride, Grizzly, the raccoon, is a gifted pickpocket. Tui and Allan, the tame foxes make perfect (live) fur collars for fashion conscious ladies and Monty, the 4-meter python, even makes a perfect scarf for at least 6 people at a time. A Bird in the Hand