WASHBURN, Tenn. (WATE) — In East Tennessee and beyond, when birds of prey are born in the wild and get injured, many are sent to the Owl Ridge Raptor Center in Grainger County.

"Mainly, we run a hospital for injured birds of prey. So, we do bald eagles all the way down to the little guys like eastern screech owls and kestrels, all the owls, all the hawks, ospreys and vultures," said Lisa Thomison, co-founder of the center.

She, along with Laura Best, who oversees facilities and maintenance, gave 6 News a tour, showing off the smallest and largest of these stunning birds. Many of the raptors will be sent back into the wild, but others who cannot be released serve as ambassadors when youth groups tour the center.

"I watched a group of inner-city kids that came, and everyone got off the va

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