Capes Raptor Centre

26/05/2026

Coming soon to CRC TV… 📺

(MVP of the day goes to Lachie who handled his first day of work experience like a boss)

19/05/2026

Welcome to our very first segment of Rob’s Random Facts here at Capes Raptor Centre!

Today we are hanging out with one of our resident Wedge-tailed Eagles 🦅 Mr Grace, to learn more about wedgies’ diets.

Wedge-tailed Eagles have one of the broadest diets of any eagle in the world. They’re amazing natural pest control, which is especially important for wildlife balance on an island like Australia!

21/04/2026

Meet a few of the birds that call the Capes Raptor Centre home 🦅

Did you know that more than 50 birds of prey live here? Meet Mr Grace, Booey, Kevin and Bonnie when you visit - along the sanctuary walk, during a Bird of Prey Encounter, or by joining a VIP Owl Encounter.

If you’re looking for things to do in Margaret River, or chasing an adventure on a lay day, come say hello!

13/04/2026

We had an amazing Sunday learning from ecologist Dr Simon Cherriman during our Nest-box Building Workshop!

Over six hours we designed, built and painted nest-boxes created from recycled materials 🛠️ before Simon climbed up into our incredible trees 🌳 and installed the boxes around Capes Raptor Centre, in an effort to create new nesting habitat for wild birds around the Margaret River region.

So next time you go for a wander along our sanctuary walk, look up ⬆️ and keep your eyes peeled 👀 there may be some feathered friends moving in soon 🤞

07/04/2026

A great diversity of Australian wildlife relies on native tree hollows for nesting and shelter. But these hollows can take hundreds of years to form, and sadly, many have been lost due to land clearing.

The result? A growing shortage of homes for species like owls. The good news is, nest boxes offer a practical, short-term solution.

🌿 Join Dr Simon Cherriman for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to build your own nest box and support local wildlife in a meaningful way.

Nest-boxes will be made from recycled materials and installed at Capes Raptor Centre to enhance wildlife habitat. We invite you to join us for this special workshop to discover the skills and materials needed to build your own nest boxes at home.

🎟️ Tickets are still available, but spots are limited.
Book now: https://www.capesfoundation.org.au/visit-experiences/nest-box-building-workshop-with-dr-simon-cherriman/

23/03/2026

Join Dr Simon Cherriman for a hands-on nest-box building workshop and help create much-needed homes for wildlife across the region. Discover the skills and materials needed to build your own nest-boxes at home.

Spots are limited for this one-off workshop, grab your tickets by following the link below👇

🎟️ www.capesfoundation.org.au/visit-experiences/nest-box-building-workshop-with-dr-simon-cherriman/

19/03/2026

Following recent recommendations to changes around rodent bait regulations, it’s a good time to rethink how we manage rats and mice at home 🐭🌿

One of the most common and preventable reasons raptors arrive in our care is secondary poisoning. This is because second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) persist in the food chain, putting owls, birds of prey and other wildlife at risk.

Birds of prey are nature’s own pest controllers, helping to keep rodent populations in balance. But when those rodents have consumed SGARs, the toxin passes on to the predators that eat them.

The good news? There are safer, wildlife-friendly alternatives. From simple prevention and smart trapping to supporting Australia’s natural predators with habitat solutions, small changes can make a big difference.

We’ve broken down four practical ways to manage rodents around your homes. Follow the link below to read our owl friendly guide for rodent control in South West Australia to learn more!

capesfoundation.org.au/learn/discover-explore/owl-friendly-rodent-control/

18/03/2026

What’s a day in the life of a raptor handler really like? 🦅

Come with Rob, our bird welfare coordinator, as he shows you around our bird of prey sanctuary in Margaret River.

11/03/2026

Yesterday we received fantastic news! The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority are recommending the suspension of sale of wildlife killing rodent poisons 🥳

What does that mean?

Once suspended, they will be removed from the shelves at hardware stores and supermarkets, so people can no longer unintentionally purchase rat baits that cause secondary poisoning to our owls, raptors and other wildlife when consumed.

We just need the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Australia, , to tick it off to get it over the line ✅

In the meantime, we have popped a handy rodent control resource in our link in bio, so you have all the information you need to choose wildlife friendly options.

Thank YOU to everyone for your ongoing public support around this issue. Together, we can protect Australia’s wildlife 🦉

09/03/2026

We can't stay silent about the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's failure to act on mounting evidence of the serious risks posed by SGAR rat poisons.

Our Centre Manager, Tara Finch, sees the devastating results of SGAR poisons firsthand. Owls arrive at our sanctuary sick, bleeding internally and unable to stand. Most don't make it.

While we are working to educate everyone who comes through the doors at Capes Raptor Centre on the secondary poisoning risks associated with SGARs, many people reasonably assume that products available for general retail sale are safe when used as directed.

We shouldn't be able to walk into our local hardware store and purchase products that can kill our local wildlife.

The only way to remove the risk is to ban SGAR products from the shelves.

Submissions to APVMA are still open. Add your voice to the BirdLife Australia submission form. Together, we can help protect our wildlife!

THE Capes Raptor Centre (CRC) has added its voice to call for the sale of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) to be banned, saying a long-awaited review by a federal government agency has ignored evidence-based research into their harm on birds and wildlife.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) released its risk assessment of SGARs, with a recommendation they remain on sale with additional controls, such as pack size restrictions, proximity-to-building rules and revised labelling.

However, CRC Manager, Tara Finch, says these controls won't take away the risk to wildlife.
"Rodents that ingest SGAR bait frequently survive for several days. They move away from the bait source and become lethargic, making them easy prey for predators," Ms Finch said.
"It is impossible to ensure every poisoned rodent is removed from the ecosystem and documented evidence has proven that wildlife exposure occurs even when products are used in compliance with label instructions."

A lethal or near-lethal dose can occur after eating as few as one to three poisoned mice.
Birds such as the Barn Owl, which eats an average of three mice a night, are regularly admitted to CRC in critical condition from digesting poisoned rodents.
Despite intensive veterinary treatment, survival rates are low.

CRC is calling for the APVMA to withdraw SGAR products from sale.

Instead, Ms Finch wants to APVMA to only allow the safer, wildlife-friendly alternatives, including mechanical trapping systems and lower-risk non-anticoagulant rodent control products.

"We consistently find our visitors at CRC are unaware of the secondary poisoning risks associated with SGARs.
"They reasonably assume that products available for general retail sale are safe when used as directed but this is not the case."
"The only way to remove the risk is to ban SGAR products," she said.