Sometime during the early morning hours of June 7, someone broke into the SORCO property forcing open the front gate.

“There was no evidence that the people entered the main buildings,” said SORCO manager Dale Belvedere. “However, the individual(s) did get into the food centre where we raise rats as live food for the raptors. We know that, because two days later most of the rats were dead.”

The police confirmed the break ­in at the raptor rehabilitation centre in Oliver and will investigate.  A pathology test has confirmed that the rats died from a poisonous substance.

Belvedere explained that SORCO uses a variety of foods depending on the particular needs of the recovering bird.

However, rats are the primary food source. Before a raptor can be released back into the wild, they need to demonstrate their ability to hunt for live prey.

“It’s devastating that someone violated our premises. Poisoning the food source for the birds in our care is a despicable act of cruelty,” she said. “Imagine if the vandals had killed one of our rehab birds. Our mascot Houdini has exhibited some possible side effects so she is receiving precautionary treatment.”

As a result of this incident, SORCO is reviewing its security procedures.

Anyone with information related to this matter should call the Oliver RCMP at (250) ­498-­3422.

Not sure where the 12 days went between the break-in and the story being released.