Eagles Flying, the largest sanctuary for raptors and owls in Ireland, has closed unexpectedly, despite attracting annual visitor numbers of over 20,000.
The Irish Raptor Research Centre was started by Lothar and Regina Muschketat in the mid-1990s and transitioned from a private research facility to a public attraction in 1999.
Lothar and his raptors wee a highlight of the Holiday World show in Dublin. The sanctuary housed around 120 birds of prey at its peak, offering interactive shows that educated visitors about conservation and the behaviour of these wild animals.
Closure has resulted in the rehoming of many birds to other facilities, although some, including two European Golden Eagles, will remain at the centre.
Local community members, including the Co-Chairperson of Destination Sligo Forum, have expressed that the closure represents a devastating loss for the region, despite other attractions remaining available.
Gerard Moore, Co-Chairperson of Destination Sligo Forum, shared: “At its peak, it attracted over 20,000 visitors. It was an all-year-round attraction which attracted all age groups suitable for families. It’s a devastating loss in the region but saying that we do have other attractions that are key for the region, including the Atlantic Sheepdogs and The Sligo Folk Park“.
Lothar Muschketat added “We had many different species from the little Merlin up to the Himalayan Vultures. They are some of the biggest birds of prey in the world, together with the European Black Vulture and the Andean Condor. It’s like working with people, probably a little bit easier. If you do your job right, they [birds of prey]trust you and they are very reliable. On the other hand, you must consider that they are wild animals, and they stay wild all their life”.
