The Wildlife Superheroes of Rowena

Western Grey Squirrel that was orphaned, it has since rehabilitated and been released.

Sponsored by David Rogers at Seal Kote Plus Inc. 

By Haley Mast

Rowena wildlife clinic has been dedicated to helping injured animals for 20 years. Nestled in Rowena, OR, this non-profit clinic is ready to assist and help native animals of the Columbia River Gorge. Injured animals brought to Rowena are gracefully cared for and released back into their natural habitat after being cared for. 

Juvenile American kestrel who has rehabilitated and been released.

“Wildlife rehabilitation is the recognition that our animal neighbors deserve our care. Each benevolent interaction encourages us to tread lightly in our landscape, to change our habits, making it easier for all species to share the planet” words from Rowena Wildlife Clinic.  

Ash Harris is a wildlife rehabilitator and has worked with the Rowena clinic for a year now. 

“We see about 200 injured animals a year,” said Harris. 

Rowena accepts native animals to the Gorge. They take in raptors, songbirds, waterfowls, some mammals, and occasionally stray-domesticated animals if found injured or sick. 

The Eagles 

There are currently two eagles healing at Rowena, a bald eagle, and a golden eagle. Both of them were found last summer, 2020. 

The bald eagle was found caught tangled in fishing nets. It sustained injuries that cut down into its flesh, said Harris.  The bald eagle healed relatively quickly and the clinic will soon work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to release it back into the wild. 

Photo credited to Calley Lovett. Golden Eagle who is under rehabilitative care.

The golden eagle is a juvenile female bird who was found by farmers in a field in Dufur. The farmers contacted Rowena Wildlife with concerns about the bird allowing them to walk up to it while it was showing other strange behavior. Harris said once the bird was brought into the clinic there were instant signs of poisoning, specifically lead. 

“She had 6 times the amount of lead in her blood than the normal measurement,” said Harris. 

Harris said it is under the assumption that the golden eagle got poisoned from lead bullets. Rather than getting shot, she believes the animal ingested lead from other animal carcasses or bullet fragments on the ground or in the food the eagle ate.  

The young bird was treated with medication to eliminate her excessive lead levels found in her blood. Harris said it took several weeks before healing progression was noticed. 

How you can help

Rowena Wildlife Clinic is a non-profit organization. Even with a mostly volunteer staff, the clinic incurs considerable costs each month. There's food, medicine, surgical and diagnostic equipment for the animals, and a constant need for building and cage repairs. Donating to the clinic means you are helping with the care of these animals while supporting the clinic that makes it happen. Donations can be made through their website; RowenaWildlifeClinic.org.

Fox kit who has rehabilitated and been released