Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Coastal Resources Department for Orange Beach is seeking additional funds to help with the buildout of the new building for the Wildlife Center and Management Program  on Powerline Road.

“The grant will cover the interior buildout of the wildlife center side, as well as new enclosures for both rehab and education animals,” Coastal Coordinator Melissa Vinson of the center said. “The new wildlife center clinic will have three rehab rooms, a triage room, a treatment room, offices, much larger kitchen and storage space and an isolation room.”

The additional grant request is for $624,450, according to city documents. A separate building on site is being built with city funds for staff to work out of on the nearby trails and other projects, Vinson said.

“The building shell is currently under construction,” Vinson said. “The 50-by-150-foot metal building is being built with city funds and as it will also house our trail/project staff and a covered outdoor classroom. Phase one includes the metal building and the interior build out of the trail/project side. This will include two offices, a breakroom, bathrooms, and a large workshop space.”

While the hull of the building is being put in place and more work and money are needed for its completion, the center’s 25-by-128-foot flight enclosure for rehabilitating local raptors has been operating since April, Vinson said.

“It definitely has allowed for protection from wild raptors while the birds are flight conditioning versus when we used to creance test and would often have to worry about being in another raptor’s territory,” Vinson said. “They are able to have a safe secure place to build up endurance, and maneuverability, all while having some exposure to the elements so the birds are better equipped to adjust back into their natural habitats once they are back to proper health.”

Several local raptors in need of help after injuries or illnesses have been treated and eventually released after being rehabilitated in the flight enclosure.

“So far, we have had one bald eagle, four red tail hawks and three great horn owls that have utilized the flight enclosure and gone on to be released,” Vinson said. “We have a great horn in there currently, with a barred owl next in line.”

Vinson said the target for letting bids on the buildout of the wildlife center is by the end of the year with a construction completion date of December of 2023.