Damage at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck is estimated at $20,000, according to a newsletter sent through the Halifax Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Birthing center damage.
Brent Lubbock of the park said a dozen or so birds of the 2,500 at the park perished when between 12 to 15 inches of snow damaged netting and the birthing center.
The park, which is a world leader in caring for and breeding endangered birds, should have final estimates Friday, Lubbock said.
Disney Animal Kingdom staff will bring at least three expert helpers to help the rebuilding effort and the North Carolina Zoo and Zoological Society has also sent help.
“The bird loss, compared to the birds we have, is a lot better (than anticipated),” Lubbock said.
Injuries were minimized when the birds got into safer areas when netting collapsed.
Offers of help and support have been appreciated, said Lubbock, since the park is nonprofit. “This place is not your average bird park. It’s a world leader for waterfowl preservation.”
The tourism newsletter said since opening in October 2006, “Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park has provided meaningful exploration of the world of waterfowl and habitat conservation to nearly 85,000 visitors and thousands of children and school groups.
“Sylvan Heights continues to lead breeding efforts for some of the world’s most endangered birds, and you may have heard that Sylvan Heights battled a 6,000 gallon oil spill to protect a North Carolina wetland and the Roanoke River.”
The newsletter continues, “We think these are exceptional accomplishments for a facility that is just four years old. But like most new nonprofit organizations, Sylvan Heights struggles to make ends meet as it builds programs and as more and more visitors discover the park.”
The park has a new challenge, the newsletter said, and is seeking contributions to help repair damages and provide operating support.
You may go to park’s website — www.shwpark.com — to make your donation or call Cheryl Turner at the N.C. Zoological Society at 336-879-7284 or toll free, 888-244-3736, to donate by phone or if you have questions.
