IDAHO, USA — The Treasure Valley will be feeling empty nest syndrome, temporarily being without its bird center.
The Ruth Melichar Bird Center is a wildlife bird rehabilitation center in Boise that rescues injured birds. Rising operational costs are forcing the bird center to close its doors for about a month starting Aug. 15, while they raise money to help fund their operations.
The bird center rescues, rehabilitates and releases wild birds from throughout the region, and sees about 2,000 birds during their busy season that runs from May through August.
"At any given day during our high season, we can have 200 birds in our center daily," Ruth Melichar Bird Center Director Jennifer Rockwell said.
As their busy season winds down, the center is planning to close until Sept. 15 due to an rising operation costs.
"We will be shut down if somebody calls about an injured bird," Rockwell said. "So Idaho Fish and Game is going to get leaned on a little bit more in that month."
The bird center is asking for donations online, and is hoping to raise $100,000 by the start of their peak season next April - when the center's staff flock to rescue and rehab hundreds of birds.
"We are not city, state or federally funded. We are here by private donations only," Rockwell said. "We are really asking for help, and wherever we can get it from the public - we would be very grateful."
Donations to help the Ruth Melichar Bird Center can be made online here. Checks can be mailed to PO box 7263, Boise, ID 83707.