Oil Spill Experts from California Answer Call of Oregon Wildlife Groups
Fighting to Save Hundreds of Seabirds from Deadly Ocean Foam
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- IBRRC / California-based
seabird specialists International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) are
rushing to the aid of seabirds threatened by an unusual algal bloom off the
Oregon Coast. The world-renown team from International Bird Rescue, who have
saved thousands of seabirds from oil spills around the world, are in a race
against time to transport red-throated loons, and other highly sensitive
migratory birds, to a state-of-the-art rescue facility in San Francisco Bay.
Following an algae bloom incident at sea, hundreds of seabirds began washing
up on beaches in Oregon and Washington State on Tuesday of this week. Local
wildlife group 'Wildlife Center of the North Coast' in Astoria, Oregon, has
been inundated with birds covered in a slimy foam caused by a single-cell
algae that multiplies in warmer weather. Now, more than 100 of the most
sensitive birds are being transported to California where they can be cared
for in one of two purpose-built oiled bird rescue facilities.
"International Bird Rescue is known for its success with rescuing oiled
seabirds," said Executive Director Jay Holcomb. "These birds are not oiled but
the impact of the surfactant-like proteins in the foam has the same affect on
birds as oil, impacting the natural waterproofing of their feathers and
causing hypothermia, which can be deadly to these animals."
"We are very fortunate that the State of California has created two incredible
oiled wildlife rescue facilities and that they can be used to help these
birds," added Holcomb. "Since this is not an oil spill, International Bird
Rescue will need to pay the cost of transportation and care so we are asking
the public to contribute and help us save these birds. Right now though our
focus is on getting these birds to California as fast and as safely as
possible." You can donate and help save these seabirds at
www.ibrrc.org.
Transportation of the birds will begin in Astoria, Oregon, tomorrow (Saturday,
October 24th) at 7am. Media are also welcome to visit International Bird
Rescue Research Center in Fairfield, California for filming and interviews
from 1pm on Sunday afternoon.
