June 5, 2008

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The Center for Birds of Prey on the South Carolina coast is now open to the public.

The center was started 17 years ago as a place to treat eagles and other injured raptors. Because it was relatively small, there was no way the public could visit without affecting the recovery of the birds.

Now the center has a larger, 152-acre campus near Cape Romain.

That means the public can visit aviaries, learn about the birds and see flight demonstrations without affecting the treatment of injured birds.

The center, between Charleston and McClellanville, is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)