For 31 years Ron and Wendy Perrone have devoted their lives to helping birds in need. Injured birds are regularly placed in their care from neighbors throughout Summers County, West Virginia and regions of adjoining states. The Perrones had a genuine interest in birds and their well-being when they created the Three Rivers Avian Center. Their aim was to help heal injured or ill raptors, and other winged wildlife as small as hummingbirds, that had been hit by cars, attacked by cats, shot by lead bullets, or suffered other trauma.
Together with several dozen volunteers, including 10 veterinarians in southern West Virginia, college students and other individuals willing to help transport birds, and the part-time help they employ the Perrone’s were able to “help 260 patients in the TRACWV’s busiest year ever in 2020.”
Last week the TRACWV had another success story to celebrate when Wendy Perrone tossed “Wonder,” a raptor, into the air to return to his natural habitat in the wild where he will serve a huge role in the ecosystem. This is the mission they all work toward.
“Birds aren’t warm, fuzzy pets. Our job is to help them return to the wild, where they are supposed to live and serve their role in the ecosystem,” said Wendy Perrone. “The wild bird population is steeply declining. In the past 20 years, we have lost 52% of migratory birds. Birds are needed for insect control, pollination and, raptors for rodent control. Our farmers save thousands of dollars per person on average on controlling insect and rodent overpopulation.”
The contribution the bird population makes to farmers is significant.
“One barn owl will eat enough rodents to save a farmer as much as $40,000.00,” Wendy Perrone said. “Our bird population is in trouble and they need our help.”
Wendy Perrone thanked individual donors for generous contributions.
“TRACWV receives very few grants, but donations and grants are a huge help. The main source of our funds come from individual donations, large and small, and help with things like power bills and many other expenses, like medical supplies,” Wendy Perrone said.
TRACWV also works in educational outreach programs through 15 state parks, in schools, at gatherings like Earth Day celebrations, and has a generally busy schedule. COVID-19 has impacted TRACWV’s ability to participate in many of its normal outreach activities.
“It’s turned everything upside down,” Perrone said. “We have been expanding our online outreach and have developed a way to reach people all over the country. Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. we offer new posts on Facebook, YouTube.”
Everyone is invited to see and watch the online posts.
To help support the work TRACWV contributes to wildlife and a healthy ecosystem the Perrone’s shared: Your financial contribution can make a big difference in the lives of our feathered friends. Send your tax-deductible donation to: Three Rivers Avian Center, 2583 Brooks Mtn. Rd., Hinton, WV 25951 or donate online at www.tracwv.org.
