Dane County Humane Society’s (DCHS’s) Wildlife Center is asking for the community’s help to raise funds to cover the cost of surgery and rehabilitate one of the Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) Peregrine Falcons who fell to the ground while learning to fly.
Since 2009, MGE’s Blount Generating Station, 717 E. Main St. in Madison, has maintained a safe space for state-endangered Peregrine Falcons to lay their eggs. In May 2026, two of four eggs hatched, and the chicks were named Honey and Monarch. The station’s live cameras have allowed supporters to watch these babies grow until they fledge.
On Sunday, June 28, the oldest of the two falcons took flight. Honey landed on a vehicle near the Moxy Hotel on East Washington Avenue. However, the falcon later flew up to the hotel’s outdoor sign – seemingly healthy despite being shaken up from the fall.
Multiple people reached out to DCHS’s Wildlife Center with concern. A Wildlife Center volunteer who is also a permitted falconer went to the scene to assess the falcon’s condition. The bird was fine!
But a couple days later, Monarch took his leap of faith out of the nest. Instead of soaring over downtown Madison, the falcon crashed to the ground.
Monarch was admitted to DCHS’s Wildlife Center immediately after rescue. X-rays revealed a fractured left leg near the knee. A broken leg at this stage of development is life-threatening.
The Wildlife Center team provided pain medication, fluids, stabilization, and supportive care to keep the falcon comfortable. Simultaneously, the team arranged emergency orthopedic surgery. Consulting veterinarians from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Medicine Program are scheduled to perform this specialized procedure on Thursday (July 2) afternoon.
“Since Peregrine Falcons are endangered in Wisconsin, helping this bird and conserving this species matters,” says Lisa Bernard, Development and Communication Supervisor at DCHS. “We’re asking for our community’s support and help to provide the necessary care and rehabilitation this young falcon needs so he can one day return to flying over Madison, where they belong.”
How To Donate:
Online: Go to https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/FALCON2026
Mail or drop off: Dane County Humane Society’s main shelter (5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718. Checks should be made payable to DCHS with “Falcon” in the subject line.
Leave a Reply