Today would have been the day to bring the kids or grandkids to Rotary. John Thiebes introduced our guest speaker from Wildlife Images, Corie. John told a story of how in the 1990s he was assigned to capture otters and move them to Colorado to repopulate a river. His problem was he needed to ship several otters at a time and where does one hold an otter for shipping? Dave Sidon at Wildlife Images knew just what to do. He built a spot to hold the otters until they could be shipped in bulk and he even arranged for private plane transport. So began John’s friendship with Wildlife Images.
Wildlife Images is growing. Last year they saw 998 patients. This year they expect more than 1000 patient load. About 110 animals are permanent residents of Wildlife Images. Wildlife Images receives no state , local, or federal funding. They support the organization through fundraising and membership. Please go to www.wildlifeimages.org for more information on membership.
Wildlife Images is becoming a forensic lab. They are learning how to setup crime scene boundaries in Kenya so as to catch poachers. This is a first activity contributing to global conversation.
At Rotary, Wildlife Images displayed a Great Horn Owl named Buddy, which actually was determined to be female, after laying an egg. Owls have the ability to turn their head 270 degrees as their eyes do not move in the sockets. Owls are light weight. Buddy weighs about 2 pounds. She is very domesticated and cannot hunt for herself. She is about 23 years old.
Next was “Speedy” the lizard, a native of Australia. Speedy was a very calm guest and just relaxed in Erin Maxon’s hand as she walked him around the room. Last, but certainly not least, was Nubs. A badger. Yes, a full grown, but rather gentle badger (unless provoked). Nubs is from Eastern Oregon and he came to Wildlife Images and a baby, about the size of a potato.
