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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2016)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 Classifieds / Outdoor Rec THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7 Bird rehabilitation built, and fully staffed with an experienced wildlife veterinarian, and licensed wildlife re- habilitators. The educa- tion program is expanding, too; creating awareness of how hu- THE OUTDOOR COLUMN mans impact By Todd Arriola wildlife is the first step in A fat and happy squir- learning to rel climbing a tree at the live in harmony with the County Courthouse this natural world. Thousands past week reminded me see raptors in classrooms, of a picture of a squirrel, outdoor schools, and other smaller, but nonetheless public venues. happy, I saw in “Lynn’s “Future rehabbers and Journal,” a weekly recap of veterinary students com- activities in rehabilitation plete internships. Current and education, by Execu- rehabbers meet continuing tive Director Lynn Tomp- education requirements at kins, of Pendleton-based Blue Mountain Wildlife’s Blue Mountain Wildlife annual spring seminar. (BMW). Help wildlife receive a She and her husband, second chance.” Bob, who is Assistant Di- I’ve had the pleasure rector, spearhead a group of meeting both Lynn and effort, which includes Bob, during a presentation volunteers, and whose they made, at the Baker “...mission is to preserve Heritage Museum, which wildlife and the habitats in included numerous live which they live,” accord- birds. ing to BMW. It was a chance for At BMW’s website, blue- the public to interact mountainwildlife.org, one (somewhat) with, and is greeted by Lynn’s voice to learn about the birds, in a short video, which and BMW’s plight. The explains BMW’s role: weekly journal entries “Blue Mountain aren’t presented in a rose- Wildlife is an education colored glasses manner, as and rehabilitation center, evidenced by the details serving eastern Oregon, in the latest one (as of this and southeastern Washing- writing), which includes ton. With a broad network the following: of volunteers, wildlife in BMW staff battled the distress are given the care cold and snow, and “... and treatment they need, to saw the carnage caused by return to the wild. people who would shoot “Baby birds fall from five protected raptors, and their nest, and are either leave them to die a slow, returned to their parents, or agonizing death...” said fostered into new families. Lynn. Hundreds of barn owls are She noted three more raised at Barn Owl Boot gunshot birds, including a Camp, where they learn Red-tailed Hawk, which to eat, fly, and hunt, like a was found near Adams, barn owl should. Oregon. The fractures in “Injured wildlife are its right wing (a picture rescued, and given the of an x-ray was provided) care they need, to return weren’t repairable, and the to the wild. Sick birds are bird was euthanized, she treated, and given another said. opportunity to fly free. The second victim was “With a service area a Rough-legged Hawk, of 50,000 square miles, which was found near and annual submissions Milton-Freewater, Oregon. approaching 1,000, Blue A large wound on the left Mountain Wildlife is com- side of its chest (another mitted to providing the picture of an x-ray was highest quality of care. provided) was caused by “A state-of-the-art the exit of a bullet, and the wildlife hospital will be bird died of blood loss, Brownlee boat ramp closed The boat ramp at Wood- head Park is closed due to ice and will remain closed until conditions improve. Loops A and B remain open for camping at the popular site on Brownlee Reservoir. The camp- ground is one of four campgrounds owned and operated by Idaho Power in Hells Canyon. Although the camp- ground remains open in winter, no water is available at individual campsites. For information on rates and other Idaho Power campgrounds, visit idahopower.com/recre- ation. Crabbing now fully open The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Or- egon Department of Fish and Wildlife announce that the ocean and bay recre- ational crab fishery is open in all areas on the coast. Recreational crabbing was previously closed in many areas due to elevated levels of domoic acid in Dungeness crab viscera. The most recent tests show levels of domoic acid are safe in all areas tested. It is recommended that crab always be eviscerated prior to cooking. Eviscera- tion includes removing and discarding the internal organs and gills. Domoic acid or amnesic shellfish toxin can cause minor to severe illness. shortly after it was admit- ted, Lynn said. The third victim was an- other Rough-legged Hawk, which was found on Whit- taker Flats, south of Pilot Rock, along side the road. Her conclusion is that the bird was most likely shot with a high-powered rifle, as nearly 1/3 of its wing was gone, including the elbow joint. The bird was humanely euthanized, she said. The last entry in that week’s journal includes a Golden Eagle admitted the week before, which died from the effects of lead poisoning, Lynn said. Lynn did provide some more positive points in her journal, including mention- ing that BMW’s annual request for membership renewal had been sent out the week before, and many people donated, funding next year’s activities. She also said that the ed- ucation team will be trav- eling to dozens of schools, BMW’s lead monitoring program will expand, and a new crop of interns will seek education at BMW. Speaking about seeing the gunshot birds, Lynn said, “...your financial support and kind words remind me there are far more thought- ful and caring people in the world than otherwise...” BMW has this advice for anyone finding an animal that needs care: put a towel in a box or a crate with air holes; using another towel, carefully put the animal in the box, and secure the lid; keep the animal in a dark, quiet place; never feed the animal; and call BMW as soon as possible, at 541- 278-0215. In closing, please stay warm and safe, let’s watch out for our feathered friends, and have a Merry Christmas!
