Dozens of Oiled Seabirds Rescued Off Santa Barbara Coast

Oiled Seabird Rescue Efforts

• 🆘 Over 60 oiled seabirds have been rescued following the appearance of a one square mile oil slick off the Santa Barbara coast.
• 🐦 Nearly 100 birds, primarily Western Grebes, have been brought to the International Bird Rescue since Monday, with more expected.
• 📍 Most affected birds were found in Santa Barbara and Ventura, with one discovered in Malibu.

Investigating the Oil Slick Source

• 🔍 The U.S. Coast Guard, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating the source.
• 🌊 Current suspicions point towards natural seep activity as the cause of the oil slick.

Bird Rehabilitation Process

• 🩺 Rescuers provide medical treatment, nutrition, and fluids before washing birds, as the process can be life-threatening.
• ✨ After washing with a special nozzle, birds are dried with commercial pet grooming dryers to restore their natural waterproofing.
• 🏊‍♀️ Birds are then placed in a warm water therapy pool to preen and bathe, ensuring their feathers are fully waterproof before resting.
• ✅ Release is considered only when a bird is stable, healthy, and its waterproofing is flawless.

Public Assistance and Awareness

• 💰 International Bird Rescue is requesting public donations to help cover the costs of bird care, especially for naturally occurring events.
• ⚠️ The public is urged to recognize signs of an oiled bird, such as beaching themselves, becoming cold, and stopping eating.
• 🚶 If a bird is not standing or is in an unusual location, it may need immediate assistance.
• 📞 It is recommended to call Animal Control or International Bird Rescue immediately if an oiled bird is spotted.