Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center

There is a place in Oregon where sick and injured animals can go to rehabilitate and be released back into the wild. It was started by J. David Siddon in the early 1980s. J. David Siddon left our midst in 1996 when he succumbed to cancer, but before he left, he asked his son, Dave, to take over the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation Center in Oregon.

According to their website, "Over a period of thirty years they have released 35,000 animals back to their natural habitat." These include screech owls who have had head-on collisions with vehicles and bald eagles to name just a few.

It may take up to three years just to rehabilitate an eagle with a broken wing before the eagle can be re-released into the wild. There are often animals that cannot be released and they become wildlife ambassadors to educate the public.

Over 3 million people have visited the facility located in Grants Pass, Oregon to date. You can watch a short video here.

The facility boasts a 50% release rate which is currently much higher than the national average of 33%. It is open year round to visitors and you can find all the details including ticket prices, directions and contact information here.

There are plenty of events for 2012 that will accommodate every family member. You can see the list of events here.

The 24 acres of "living laboratory" adjacent to the Wild and Scenic portion of Oregon's Rogue River is a must see for anyone traveling through the wilds of Oregon.

To make a donation to this 100% tax deductible organization, you can click here.

Sources:
http://www.wildlifeimages.org/about/message-from-dave-siddon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP_EdSDOI8Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL