Together, founders Carol and Scott McCorkle have worked with birds of prey for over 40 years.
Carol, a certified veterinary technician, began her work with raptors when the need arose to find a permanent home for a Red-shouldered Hawk that was admitted to the county animal shelter where she worked. Carol was granted her state and federal rehabilitation and education permits in 1986 and shortly thereafter acquired her second bird, a Barn Owl that had been attacked by dogs. By the time she moved to the Orlando area in 1991, Carol had 7 permanent birds under her education permit.
As a young child, Scott was fascinated with raptors and made the decision to become a falconer. In 1993, Scott found an injured Peregrine Falcon near his home in Vero, Florida and their paths first crossed when he brought the falcon to the center where Carol was working as the lead clinic technician.
Caring for this falcon renewed Scott’s interest in falconry and he began the arduous process of obtaining his master falconer’s permit. Scott later accepted a part-time position in the clinic and, over time, Scott and Carol realized that they shared the same philosophy regarding working with raptors.
It had always been Carol’s dream to have her own bird of prey center so that she could ensure that every decision made was driven solely by what was best for each individual bird. Scott whole-heartedly concurred. The two eventually began dating and were married in a Peregrine-themed wedding in 1999.
Shortly thereafter, they began to look for suitable land to house their own raptor center. At the dead end of a road, abutting the green swamp they found just the perfect place. The main pavilion was erected and, with the help of a few dedicated volunteers, three small sheds were built with pure sweat equity. ARC was officially opened to the public in 2004.