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Raptors enrapture students at Worthington Elementary School

Photo by Michael Erb Wendy Perrone, executive director of the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, W.Va., displays an American kestrel Friday during a presentation on birds of prey at Worthington Elementary School.

Photo by Michael Erb Ron Perrone, education director of the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, W.Va., talks about owls while holding an eastern screech owl Friday during a presentation on birds of prey at Worthington Elementary School.

PARKERSBURG — Birds of prey were on display Friday at Worthington Elementary School.

Officials with the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, W.Va., brought a half-dozen birds of prey to the school, talking to students about what makes each bird unique, how the birds came to be at the avian center, and ways students can help preserve the birds’ habitat and safety.

Worthington Elementary School Principal Tom Wheeler said he heard about the organization on the radio and contacted TRAC Education Director Ron Perrone about coming to the school.

“It’s an enrichment opportunity for the students, and a chance to see some of these creatures they might not get to see out in the wild,” he said.

The program also fits in with some of the class science requirements. Friday’s event included two owls, two falcons, a hawk and a bald eagle.

“In fifth grade the students begin studying the food chain and they dissect owl pellets,” Wheeler said. “They’ve brought owls here and it gives the students a first-hand view of these birds.”

Worthington Elementary’s partner in education, Worthington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, helped pay for the event.

“They give us some financial support and we used their support to put this on,” Wheeler said.

More information on the Three Rivers Avian Center can be found at tracwv.org.

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