NEWS RELEASE: Red-Tailed Hawk Returns Home After Rehabilitation

Red-Tailed Hawk Returns Home After Rehabilitation 
Partnership between Black Hills Energy and the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center 
helps protect wildlife and electric reliability in Southern Colorado

PUEBLO, Colo. – A young red-tailed hawk named "Blue" is soaring over Southern 
Colorado once again, thanks to a partnership between Black Hills Energy and the 
Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center's (NWDC) Raptor Center in Pueblo.

Earlier this year, Black Hills Energy crews discovered an active red-tailed hawk nest on 
a power pole near Penrose, Colorado. The nest's proximity to electrical equipment 
created a potential safety risk for both the birds and the reliability of the electric system.

Working under Black Hills Energy's Special Purpose Utility (SPUT) permit from the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, crews safely removed the nest and helped protect the 
young hawks occupying it. The permit allows the company to work with licensed wildlife 
rehabilitation partners to rescue, care for and ultimately release birds impacted by 
necessary utility operations.

One of those young hawks was Blue, named for the blue identification band placed on 
her leg during rehabilitation.

"Protecting wildlife while maintaining a safe and reliable electric system is an important 
part of our work," said Austin Belcher, principal environmental professional at Black Hills 
Energy. "Partnerships with organizations like the NWDC Raptor Center and Second 
Chance Rehabilitators help ensure these birds receive expert care and have the 
opportunity to return to the wild."

Under Black Hills Energy's SPUT permit, birds affected by necessary utility work are 
transferred to licensed wildlife rehabilitation organizations for evaluation and care. In 
Pueblo, the company partners with both the NWDC Raptor Center and Second Chance 
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit organization licensed by Colorado Parks and 
Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Together, these organizations provide 
specialized care for injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife, helping ensure birds 
impacted by utility operations are given the best opportunity for recovery and release.

Following the nest removal, Blue was taken to the NWDC Raptor Center in Pueblo, 
Southern Colorado's only raptor rehabilitation facility. Since 1981, the center has 
rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 250 injured, ill and orphaned raptors 
each year. 

Raptor Center staff cared for Blue until she was healthy, strong and ready to return to 
her natural habitat. On Aug. 6, wildlife professionals and Black Hills Energy 
representatives gathered near her original nesting territory to watch Blue take flight 
once again, just feet from where she was originally rescued. 

"This release is an example of successful collaboration between utility companies and 
wildlife professionals," said Diana Miller, NWDC Raptor Center Director. "When 
organizations work together, we can protect both wildlife and critical infrastructure while 
giving birds like Blue a second chance." 

Black Hills Energy is also taking steps to create future nesting opportunities for hawks 
in the area. After young hawks fledge, nests are typically abandoned until the following 
breeding season. To prepare for the hawks' potential return, the company installed a 
nesting platform near the original location and placed existing nesting materials on the 
platform, creating a safer nesting site for future years. 

The project is one example of Black Hills Energy's ongoing commitment to 
environmental stewardship and wildlife protection, while continuing to deliver safe, 
reliable electricity to Southern Colorado. For more information on Black Hills Energy in 
Southern Colorado, visit www.blackhillsenergy.com/community/powering-colorado/ 

About the NWDC Raptor Center 
Located on the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center's River Campus in Pueblo, the 
NWDC Raptor Center is Southern Colorado's only raptor rehabilitation facility. The 
center rescues, rehabilitates and releases birds of prey, providing expert care to more 
than 250 raptors annually. 

 
Media contact 
Natalie Falbo (719) 601-7991 
Black Hills Energy Natalie.falbo@blackhillscorp.com
 
24-Hour media assistance 
888-242-3969 
 
About Black Hills Energy 
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company 
with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of 
choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas 
and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, 
Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at 
www.blackhillscorp.com and www.blackhillsenergy.com.