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Ken's
Bio
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Board Member: Ken Lockwood
I was born in Dubois, Pennsylvania in 1958 and
raised in Brockway, Pennsylvania. My brother Ron
and I grew up in the country and we were always
dragging home some type of critter. Whether it
was a Ground Hog, Bunny Rabbit, Snake, Turkey
or the neighbors� dog, animals have always been
a part of my life. Ron and I would spend Hours
going into the woods with 5 gallon buckets to
pick Blackberries. We would see Deer, Bear, Foxes,
Raccoons and then I would look into the Sky and
just be fascinated by soaring Vultures or a Red-tailed
Hawk diving to the earth to snag a mouse that
only he could see. We would see Bald Eagles in
trees by the creek just wishing it would let us
get closer. Ron and I would dam up small creeks
and put hooks on strings and spend the afternoon
fishing.
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After graduating from High School in 1976 I accepted
a Football scholarship from Southwestern College in
Winfield, Kansas. Thus began my relationship with the
wonderful state I now call home. After two years of
college I needed to find work to help pay my living
and college expenses. Back in the 70�S scholarships
only paid for part of your tuition, books, and room
and board.
After working from job to job, I ended up working
for the U.S. Postal Service in 1984 as a casual employee.
I made it a career in 1985 and worked at the general
Mail facility where I met my wonderful wife Susan. After
chasing her for what seemed like forever she finally
relented and we went on a date in 1987. We married in
1992.
I played softball and restored cars, but my love and
interest was always in animals. I started volunteering
at private zoos, and worked with tigers, lions, leopards,
bears, lemurs, Zebra, Giraffes, Elk and many other types
of exotic animals. When I had the opportunity to work
with injured and orphaned Owls I was hooked.
Susan took the initiative and started volunteering
at area rehab facilities and I kind of followed along.
After she received her IWRC certification, permits from
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Kansas
Department of Wildlife and Parks, we built our 1st pen
at our Wichita home and received an injured Barred Owl
in 1998.
In 1999 I made a major change in my life and took
a position with Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard,
Kansas and gave up my Postal Career. I became the head
keeper there and among many of my duties I became the
Tour Guide where I have met many fine teachers, scout
leaders, 4-H and church groups that give kids an opportunity
to learn about animals. In 2000 I went to the World
Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis and trained on all aspects
of rehabbing and exhibiting Birds Of Prey. In 2001 I
took and received my certification from the International
World Rehabilitation Council�s (IWRC) class on basic
rehab at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, Kansas. I
was then added as a sub permittee on our Rehabilitation
and Exhibition Permits. Since that time we have added
many non-releasable birds to our extended family.
After leaving Tanganyika in the winter of 2003, I
along with my brother Ron (who came in from Pennsylvania
not once but twice to help build our pens) started Eagle
Valley Raptor Center. Teaching about these wonderful
animals is now one of the joys in my life and I would
like to be able to share that with our community for
years to come.
Sincerely,
Ken Lockwood
Program Director
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