Wildlife Images: Dedicated to Caring

Oregon Wildlife: "My father grew up building dirt forts and his playmates were lizards and snakes. As a young man, he would often ride his bike a few miles down the road to view California Condors--in the wild. That 'wild' place is now known as Burbank, California...which today is covered in concrete and pavement," and so begins Dave Siddon's description as to why his father, J. David Siddon, became fascinated with wildlife and the preservation of wilderness areas. So captivated was Dave's father that he created a southern Oregon wildlife sanctuary known since 1981 as Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center.

Wildlife Images was founded as a non-profit corporation to provide for the care and treatment of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, and to offer educational programs on wildlife, conservation and the environment to schools, organizations, and the general public. OK, so that's a mouth-full but Dave further explains, "In the late 70s, I was working as a trainer at Sea World and watched as my mom and dad moved to these 24 acres of land located adjacent to the wild and scenic section of Oregon's Rogue River. I wondered why they had done such a thing...until I visited them. This area obviously reminded my father of his boyhood--a naturally beautiful setting filled with birds, mammals, and other wild creatures. It was at this time, that he began working with the rehab of local wild, injured animals. Oregon State Police and State Fish & Wildlife professionals began turning to him for the care and rehabilitation of injured animals that they or others would discover."

Today, approximately 1,000 sick or injured animals are brought to the Center. Of those, over 80 percent of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians surviving their initial injuries are returned to the wild. Animals with permanently disabling injuries that make them unable to live in the wild are integrated, if possible, into one of Wildlife Images educational programs. The Center is open for public tours, free of charge, throughout the year and has a very active educational outreach component.

Check out this incredible organization or call them at: 541-476-0222. If you have a passion and love for wildlife and their welfare, they need your support. Check out their, "Have a Heart for Wildlife" membership campaign. The goal is to sign up 500 new members by Valentines Day...a great gift for your sweetheart who loves animals!