"A place whee wild things arrive to get a helping hand, and leave having given us the ability to understand."
Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center takes in about 1000 injured birds and animals a year. About half of them are returned to the wild.
Some, however, will never return to the wild for various reasons. While watching the eagles we were surprised and delighted to witness a juvenile eagle perch on the top of the cage and carry on a "conversation" with the eagles below.
This is Jane, the black bear who has lead a very eventful life. Smuggled into Italy after being sold on the black market, an American couple who saw her there were determined to save her. After waiting 8 months for paperwork to clear she arrived at Wildlife Images in 1990. X-rays revealed bottle caps, chewing gum and other "junk" food in her digestive system. She has fully recovered but can never be released into the wild after so many years of human contact. She is, however, the only bear they know of that has an Italian passport!
The center also has two grizzly bears. About 18 years ago, when the bears were 3 years old, the state of Alaska asked Wildlife Images to keep the bears for them until they could establish a place for them. After 2 or 3 years, Alaska decided they couldn't take them back and they have bee here ever since.
This is a cougar, also know as a mountain lion or panther. I didn't realize how BIG they are! I hope I don't run into one while I'm walking in the Oregon forests!
There are many species of birds at the refuge. This is a sand hills crane, one of a pair named Niles and Daphne. Do you remember what TV sitcom these characters are from??
It was a very interesting tour and I am so glad there are people to help these injured animals.
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