People must be at least 18 to get a permit to rehabilitate wild birds. However, those who have permits can use assistants of any age, said Carmen Simonton, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife compliance officer over Kentucky. She said she knows of no other rehabilitation center in a high school in her 10-state region. She hasn't heard of any problems with the students in Carter's program. Carter's students say they have grown from the experience, learning about wild birds, taking on responsibility and earning a sense of accomplishment.
Tears flow when they set a healed one free or when one dies in captivity.
Sometimes they encounter angry adults, who blame them for strict federal protection laws. But on Wednesday, they had an easy group of wide-eyed preschoolers. Natalie and her colleagues held up five birds hawks, owls and an eagle while she explained how they hunt, eat and get injured. Finally, she asked whether there were any questions. Two arms flew up from a boy about 3 feet tall.