Blue Mountain Wildlife...Rescue, Rehab, Release!

I am Lynn Tompkins, the Executive Director and primary staff conducting Blue Mountain Wildlife's rehabilitation and education programs.

I earned a BS in Animal Science from Oregon State University and hold state and federal rehabilitation permits. Working as a veterinary technician at Pendleton Veterinary Clinic in the mid-1980's, I became involved in wildlife rehabilitation.

With over 20 years experience in wildlife rehabilitation, I am a member of national and international rehabilitation organizations and regularly update my skills through continuing education opportunities and networking with fellow rehabbers.

Need to know where we are? In North-Eastern Oregon you'll find the City of Pendleton. This is the headquarters of Blue Mountain Wildlife...and we do have a satellite center in Benton City, Washington.

Blue Mountain Wildlife is eastern Oregon and southeast Washington's primary wildlife rehabilitation and education facility. If you're nearby then stop in for a visit (call ahead to make sure we're not chasing a bird around...541-278-0215).

Blue Mountain Wildlife
71046 Appaloosa Lane
Pendleton, OR 97801

Driving Directions:
From Interstate 84 take exit 209 onto US 395 South.
Proceed approximately five miles south on US 395.
Turn right on Arabian Drive and proceed approximately one half mile.
Turn left on Appaloosa Lane and proceed one tenth of a mile.

Or visit our website:
Blue Mountain Wildlife

Wildlife rehabilitation is caring for injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals. The goal is to provide the treatment and care needed to return them to their natural habitat. At Blue Mountain Wildlife we care for birds of prey primarily, but also see a variety of local wildlife through the year.

Wildlife Rehabilitation is difficult to handle for some people because most of the injuries and sicknesses we see are too severe to successfully treat. In the past 19 years, Blue Mountain Wildlife has admitted over 2700 animals to the center and released 46% back to the wild. While that may not sound like a successful percentage, compared to the release rate of the internationally recognized Minnesota Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, we are right on track.

There is no such thing as a routine day in Wildlife Rehabilitation. You never know when the phone is going to ring, or what challenge you will be facing next. When the calls do come...you may find yourself knee deep in a river, on the side of the freeway, or trudging around in the snow. We are lucky enough to have a wide spread network of volunteers, fish and wildlife employees, rehabbers, etc. to help us find and transport the injured animals.

In the meantime, there are the animals in residence and in the clinic we need to look after...

As the Director of Blue Mountain Wildlife, my husband Bob and I do most of the daily work. I do have one part-time employee who covers some of the feeding and computer chores. The day starts early (around 4am) to prepare the food for the animals...food can be anything from earthworms, to quail, to rabbits. My assistant, Winnie, comes in to help pass out the food, clean and fill water dishes, make sure all the animals are accounted for, and check for anything that may need repair. Bob does most of the upkeep and helps care for the injured and sick animals.

Clinic animals need to be treated daily. Sometimes that means a trip to the local Vet for X-rays, sometimes fluids and medicine. As they get stronger room is made for them in a outside pen to start exercising them, and to help determine if they are going to be able to return to the wild.

In addition to the chores of the day, Lynn has to keep up the records rehabbers are required to keep, and constantly searches for grants and opportunities to help the Center thrive.

Another facet of Rehabilitation is educating the public about local wildlife and their impact on the environment. Lynn works with a group of non-releasable birds to keep ready for informational trips to various civic meetings, school classrooms, and local events. The more people that know about Blue Mountain Wildlife and what we do, the more we can help local wildlife.

The caring people that donate their hard earned money are always a big part of our success...but when we spent $40,000.00 a year on food, it's easy to see we need big money help as well.

We constantly search for grant opportunities, and are supported by some local agencies. Educational programs put on for organizations and schools in our service area are another source of income for Blue Mountain Wildlife.

The 2nd Saturday in October we host an Open House. Falconers come to fly their birds, tours of the display pens are given, music provided, and refreshments are available.