Wildlife
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Frosty, a juvenile snowy owl. The raptor was brought in, with a broken wing, to Blue Mountain Wildlife last December from the Yakima area.
even a talking Steller’s jay. The center’s efforts include rescue, rehabilitation and education. Covering a geographic area the size of the state of New York, Blue Mountain relies on volunteers and seasonal interns to help care for the birds at the center, transport injured birds and assist in their educational programs. If you ride the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla’s “Walla Walla Whistler” bus to Pendleton, you may share the ride with a bird on its way to the center. Blue Mountain works closely with the Confederated Tribes, the Washington Hay Growers Association and the wind-power industry. The center coordinates its efforts with the Washington and Oregon departments of fish and wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon State Police and Department of Transportation. The Pendleton Veterinary Clinic makes its X-ray facilities available to the center, ensuring complete diagnoses of injured birds. Walla Walla Animal Clinic East also provides valuable services in the Walla Walla Valley.
A turkey vulture comes in for a landing as a black-billed magpie takes off. 22 Wall a Wall a Lifest yles
Blue Mountain also works hand in hand with local organizations, including regional Audubon chapters and conservation organizations. Blue Mountain Wildlife’s educational program is extensive, including over 100 on-site and outreach programs each year. Up-close encounters with these magnificent birds are geared toward gaining support from all ages. From school programs (which reach over 10,000 students a year) to appearances at fairs and special events, Blue Mountain takes every opportunity to spread its message into communities in its service area. For the last 11 years, the center has hosted Rehabilitation Seminars, which offer in-depth training for rehabilitators. This year, the more than 30 attendees from Washington, Oregon and Idaho included pre-veterinary students, wildlife managers, environmental educators, veterinary technicians and rehabilitators. Cooney, who sparked Tompkin’s interest in rehabilitation, is a frequent contributor at the seminars. Cooney, who spent a three-year residency at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, is currently associate professor of biology