2025 AWF Grant Update: Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center
Each year, the Audubon Wildlife Fund supports research and other projects that directly benefit birds and wildlife in Montana. We recently checked in with the 2025 Audubon Wildlife Fund Grant recipients, and are excited to share these updates on their research and projects.
Grant recipient
Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center
Project
Documenting and tracking raptor rescue locations, injuries, and admission causes, with particular focus on lead poisoning and avian influenza. This data will be used to pinpoint areas where these issues are most prevalent, in order to understand patterns and potential causes and possible areas to focus public awareness campaigns.
A group of eagles in the care of Montana Wild Wings. Photo: Montana Wild Wings.
Update
With the help of MT Audubon grant funding, we are able to make a real difference for sick and injured birds in our care. Our project focuses on tracking where birds are coming from, identifying what is causing their injuries or illnesses, and giving them the treatment they need to recover. We keep detailed records on each intake—species, location, symptoms—which helps us spot patterns and better understand the challenges raptors are facing out in the wild.
A big part of the grant went towards medical supplies, especially medication that has become harder to find and more expensive over the last year. Having that support means we can have enough supply on hand in order to provide critical treatments and respond quickly when birds come in with high lead poisoning. From wound care to nutritional support, every bird receives personalized attention until they are strong enough to be released or transitioned to long-term care. The grant didn’t just help us treat individual cases—it strengthened our whole response system and gave these birds a real shot at recovery.
We’ve seen an uptick in raptor admissions this year compared to last, and while some cases have been especially challenging, we’ve also had some incredible success stories. One standout was a bald eagle that came in over the summer in extremely poor shape—severely dehydrated and barely hanging on. There were no obvious injuries and only a low lead level, so we could only speculate about the cause. Maybe it ate something toxic, struggled to hunt, or had a run-in with another animal. Thanks to the dedicated care from the WW team and the eagle’s own determination to survive, it made a remarkable recovery. Just a couple of weeks later, we were able to release it back into the wild!
We greatly appreciate the help and support from Montana Audubon!
This Bald Eagle was admitted to Montana Wild Wings in the summer of 2025 in extremely poor shape. Photo: Montana Wild Wings.
With dedicated care from the Montana Wild Wings team, the admitted Bald Eagle is markedly improved. Photo: Montana Wild Wings.
Fully recovered, the Bald Eagle is released back into the wild. Photo: Montana Wild Wings.
