The Forest Republican – Crandon
April 21, 2004

Crandon High School’s environmental science class taught by Cindy Skinner recently hosted special visitors – a peregrine falcon, a red-tailed hawk, and a saw-whet owl. These birds were accompanied by Jennette Kelly, director of education at the Raptor Education Group, Inc. The Antigo non-profit organization cares for and rehabilitates injured and orphaned native bird species and educates the public on wildlife issues.

Each of these birds has some type of disability that prevents them from being released into the wild so they are now used for educational purposes. “The peregrine falcon was raised in captivity by a professional falconer,” Skinner said. “It has a weak foot and cannot be returned to the wild.” This falcon was used to teach students the dangers of DDT and other pollutants that were originally used to help humans by getting rid of the insects that caused fatal diseases like malaria and typhoid. However, this pesticide caused the near extinction of the peregrine falcon and the bald eagle.

“These raptors are top predators and accumulated enough DDT to destroy their ability to reproduce. Through captive breeding programs and the banning of DDT, these species have made remarkable progress in their recovery. Unfortunately, DDT is still exported to other countries and transported throughout the world because of bird migration.”

The red-tailed hawk was used to demonstrate another environmental problem for raptor populations. A car struck the hawk. Fortunately for the hawk, someone found it. However, instead of bringing it to a veterinary clinic, a rehab clinic, or the state Department of Natural Resources, this person decided to try to heal the bird and keep it for a pet.

Students were reminded that it is against the law to keep a raptor without the proper permits. “This bird’s injury became permanent when it could have been successfully healed and released back into the wild,” Skinner said.

The saw-whet owl lost its home in the wild because of habitat loss. The tree holding his nest was cut down. This owl was saved, but his siblings were lost,” she added.

“Students were excited about being able to see the animals we have been talking about as we discuss environmental issues.”

After visiting with the environmental science class, Kelly and her raptors spent time with the seventh grade life science classes taught by Tracy Stec, teaching them about the features of a raptor.