Todd Glazebrook, Senior Trainer in the Bird Department at SeaWorld San Diego, reports on his time spent learning from staff at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Read his report below:

What an amazing first week I have spent at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.  I really did not know what to expect after coming all the way from SeaWorld in San Diego.  Although I have participated in raptor training and handling as well as years of wildlife rehabilitation at SeaWorld, I have spent the first five days at the center overwhelmed by the huge number of learning opportunities.

I have never met a more dedicated, caring, and skilled staff as this and have been so welcomed that I already feel like a part of the family. In addition to learning from the wealth of expertise, I have helped create and install perches for the birds, taught the staff how to make nylon jesses (a type of falconry equipment for permanent collection birds), handled and held birds for medical procedures, and even administered life preserving care to critical rehabilitation cases.

Each day I am excited to "get to work" and get my hands dirty and I can't wait to see what will happen next week!