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!