Call for Volunteers: Protect Our Seabirds and Marine Life from Tar Balls Along Beaches!
Call for Volunteers: Help us report affected wildlife and sightings of tar balls along the orange county beaches.
Our seabirds and marine life urgently need your help!
Our urgent call for help continues as seabirds and marine life urgently need your help. On Thursday, March 7th, an oil sheen stretching 2.5 miles in length and 0.5 miles in width was discovered approximately 2.8 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach. Adding to the crisis, tar balls have been washing up along the nearby beaches.
As of March 17th: “14 live oiled birds were collected between March 8-16, four of which died or were humanely euthanized. Ten birds remain in care this evening, eight of which have been washed.” Source: Office of Spill Prevention and Response - OSPR
Yesterday, during our walk along the stunningly beautiful Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area beach, we observed numerous tar balls scattered along the shoreline. These tar balls pose a severe threat to wildlife and seabirds, as they can adhere to feathers, leading to a loss of waterproofing and exposure to cold temperatures. When the birds attempt to remove tar balls, it can result in ingesting hazardous materials. Additionally, the varied shapes and sizes of tar balls may be mistaken for food particles, leading to ingestion and eventual death due to the toxic compounds they contain.
In response to this urgent situation, as part of our Wildlife Jewels® Rescue initiative, we have formed a team to actively patrol our surrounding beaches to locate and report affected wildlife and tar balls. We are seeking volunteers to join us in this crucial effort.
How You Can Help:
If you are willing and able to contribute to this crucial cause, please consider volunteering with our team. Whether you have experience in wildlife rescue or simply a passion for protecting our natural habitats, your assistance is invaluable.
Upon receiving registration confirmation with Wildlife Jewels, you will be provided with detailed information and guidelines. You will simply walk along the designated area of the beach assigned to you based on your preferred selection, notify us of any findings, and call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926 immediately if you spot oiled wildlife.
For more information about Oiled Wildlife Care Network, safety guidelines, and how to report an oiled wildlife visit their website at: https://owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/
Every single wildlife matters. Please join us in this vital mission to protect and preserve our precious seabirds and marine life.
To Volunteer:
Please email Rescue@WildlifeJewels.org for further details on how to join our team and help us locate and report affected wildlife.
Call for Volunteers: Help us report affected wildlife and sightings of tar balls along the orange county beaches.
Urgent Call: Volunteers Needed to Locate and Report Wildlife Affected by Huntington Beach Oil Sheen
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
During our wildlife monitoring walk at La Jolla Cove yesterday, we were disturbed to spot and report a distressed sea lion. We spotted a male sea lion dragging himself on the sand, right flipper appearing to be tied up with a rope, looking very thin and weak.