Black Hills Energy Lead Operations Technician Tim G. knows a thing or two about birds of prey. He’s become known as the “Crocodile Dundee” of raptors due to his knack for handling and caring for these majestic birds. It’s no surprise that three years ago, Tim and his wife, Carrie, were approached by the Raptor Conservation Alliance (RCA) in Lincoln, Nebraska, to be a part of their statewide volunteer network that provides care and support for injured and orphaned raptors.

Tim’s skills were recently put to the test when a bald eagle was found on the ground, lethargic and in need of medical attention. Tim was part of the team that was called in to rescue and rehabilitate the regal bird. Tim was able to safely capture the eagle in a net and transport it a local rehabilitation center. The eagle was treated for lead poisoning and upon recovery, the bird was released back into the wild to soar the skies near Lincoln.

“Fortunately, this rescue was successful, but not all rescues have a happy ending. It’s a good reminder of the impact that humans have on wildlife and the importance of cleaning up lead fishing weights and ammunition,” said Tim. “Being an avid outdoorsman, I’m always aware of human imprints on wildlife habitats. I’m proud to work for a company that is committed to protect and mitigate risks to birds and other wildlife.”

Black Hills Energy employees are trained to comply with federal avian protection laws and reporting requirements associated with injured or dead birds. Employees across our service territory are committed to take care of these very special birds. 

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