Raptors visit students at Kittatinny Regional

Newton - Jan Rethorst, a biologist and licensed raptor rehabilitator with the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, recently presented a program at Kittatinny Regional High School on the current situation of raptors in the United States. The program was part of a two-year long, school-wide goal in science, in which ethical issues are examined. The presentation coincided with Earth Day and National Wildlife Day, which is part of National Wildlife Week. Rethorst related success stories of raptors that were brought back from extinction by strong conservation programs, and discussed procedures one should use upon encountering an injured raptor. She detailed the success rate of rehabilitating different birds, what the prognosis is for returning birds to their natural environment, and what happens to them if they are not returned. Rethorst brought five different raptors with her to Kittatinny: a Kestrol, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Barred Owl, a Saw Whet Owl and a Bald Eagle. As she presented each live raptor individually for the students to view, she explained their basic biology, their migration and where they spend different pats of the year, and where people can go to view them, especially during migratory times.