In our last two episodes on creance flying raptors I talked in depth with Lori Arent, Assistant Director of The Raptor Center (TRC) about her journey to TRC and what eventually led to a study regarding reconditioning raptors using the creance technique. Tune into this final episode Creance Technique in Practice as we focus on what creance flying looks like--the ins and outs of this useful tool to ready raptors for release. 

Lori goes into the details of a raptor exercise program including the nitty gritty of what species specific gear is needed, where and when you fly and what staff/volunteers you may need to make it successful. From the field you exercise the raptors on, down to the leathers you use on their legs- no detail goes unnoticed. We talk about stress levels in raptors and how to reduce stress before, during and after the flight session. TRC uses a raptor centric/patient centric approach to all aspects of raptor rehabilitation and it shows.

We also discuss why she feels it is critical to recondition raptors to prepare them for success in the wild.

If you would like to learn more about creance flying than these podcast episodes can teach you, here are a few options:

1. First look at the sample video Lori has provided so you can get a better understanding of what creance flying looks like. It is a compilation video set to music.

2. The Raptor Academy offers an online self study course on creance flying called Reconditioning and Release

3. The Raptor Academy also offers an ebook called Reconditioning Raptors:  A Training Manual for the Creance Technique on the subject of reconditioning raptors for release. 

I want to give my deep thanks to Lori and the team at The Raptor Center for spending the time to talk to me about raptors and the art and science of reconditioning them using the creance technique. I learned a lot and I think you will too. 

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.

To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).