Call for Volunteers: Protect Our Seabirds and Marine Life from Tar Balls Along Beaches!

Our call for volunteers continues as seabirds and marine life 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.

Urgent Call to Action: Protecting Our Seabirds and Marine Life from Tarballs 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!

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Urgent Call: Volunteers Needed to Locate and Report Wildlife Affected by Huntington Beach Oil Sheen

Urgent Call: Volunteers Needed to Locate and Report Wildlife Affected by Huntington Beach Oil Sheen

Urgent Call: Volunteers Needed to Locate and Report Wildlife Affected by Huntington Beach Oil Sheen

Tragically, devastating news has struck the shores of Huntington Beach, as the impacts of an oil sheen threatens the lives of our precious seabirds and marine life. 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.

In response to this urgent situation, our Wildlife Jewels® Rescue initiative is forming a team to actively patrol Huntington Beach and surrounding beaches to locate and report affected wildlife. We are urgently seeking volunteers to join us in this crucial effort.

The Situation:

As the days pass, tar balls have been washing up along the beaches. Tragically, wildlife casualties have been reported, including a Brandt's cormorant and several oiled seabirds in need of urgent care. 

“Wildlife crews were surveying the shoreline for oiled wildlife, and found at least three live birds who were visibly oiled: a Brandt's cormorant, a common loon and a western grebe. The cormorant died in care overnight, officials said. An injured, unoiled snowy plover who was captured also died overnight” (NBC Los Angeles)

Call to Action:

In the face of this crisis, time is of the essence. Every second counts when it comes to locating and aiding oiled wildlife and preventing further harm. Our marine life and seabirds are in desperate need of help.

Our Response:

As part of our Wildlife Jewels Rescue Collective Initiative, we are issuing an urgent call for volunteers to join our efforts in monitoring the beaches and help us locate and report affected wildlife. Your involvement could make a lifesaving difference in the recovery of our precious wildlife.

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.

Source: NBC Los Angeles

To Volunteer:

Please email Rescue@WildlifeJewels.org for further details on how to join our team and help us locate and report affected wildlife.

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!

Read More

Welcome to the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Collective Group!

You're invited to join our emerging Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Collective Group as we build a community united by a shared passion for saving wildlife!

Wildlife Jewels Rescue Collective Group

Lovely Elegant Terns, Allen’s Hummingbird nesting, Sea Lion sickened from domoic acid, and endangered Monarch Butterfly with a broken wing rescued in Solana Beach, CA | Photography by Azi Sharif ©&™ Wildlife Jewels®

Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Collective Group! Join Us!

You're invited to join our emerging Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Collective Group as we build a community united by a shared passion for saving wildlife!

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, seasoned wildlife rescuer, or wildlife veterinarian with valuable lessons to impart or looking to learn more about helping injured and orphaned wildlife, this is the place to connect and share. Join us and share your past wildlife rescue experiences, the lessons you've learned, or your expertise in this field.

If you come across injured wildlife and seek guidance on how to help or if you have expertise in wildlife rescue to share, we encourage you to contribute and engage with our community. Your input and experiences are invaluable in our collective mission to protect wildlife!

The Group

What is Wildlife Jewels Rescue Collective?

This group is a dedicated space for discussing wildlife in need, and fostering collaboration for prompt action. Members are encouraged to share valuable resources, discuss best practices for aiding distressed wildlife, and exchange news about wildlife rescue efforts. Our mission is to unite communities and foster collaborations among wildlife advocates, wildlife rescue organizations, NGOs, and rehabilitation groups, for quick and efficient wildlife rescue.

Become a part of the "Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Collective Group" and contribute to the saving of precious wildlife by joining our Facebook or LinkedIn Group!


Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!

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Wildlife Jewels Rescue, Conservation Azi Sharif Wildlife Jewels Rescue, Conservation Azi Sharif

Welcome to the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue | Updates

Welcome to the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Program Blog Page! We are deeply passionate to saving our wildlife. Our commitment is to collaborate with diverse entities, technologists, philanthropists, government agencies, and rehabilitators to develop and implement a swift and efficient process for locating and rescuing injured wildlife.

A stranded Sea Lion poisoned by domoic acid August 2023 and a Cormorant rescued in Solana Beach, CA September 2022 | Photography by Azi Sharif ©&™ Wildlife Jewels®

The Problem

The absence of a coordinated and organized process for rescuing injured and orphaned wildlife presents a significant threat to wildlife. Have you ever stumbled upon an injured wild animal and felt helpless, not knowing whom to contact or how to provide assistance? Even when you are aware of rescue organizations, the complexities of coordinating capture and transfer can be overwhelming. What if you discover an injured pelican on the beach late in the evening when most rescue facilities are closed?

Furthermore, during crises like oil spills or domoic acid outbreaks, there is no established system for systematically locating and rescuing affected wildlife. The absence of an organized search and rescue approach leaves many animals at risk. The timing of rescue is often crucial and can determine whether a sick animal survives. This is especially pertinent in the face of the numerous threats currently endangering our wildlife, including fishing hook entanglements, vehicle collisions, nest falls from tree trimming, ocean pollution, and impacts from oil spills, among others.

We are deeply passionate about filling this critical gap. Our commitment is to collaborate with diverse entities, technologists, philanthropists, government agencies, and rehabilitators to develop and implement a swift and efficient process for locating and rescuing injured wildlife.

The Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Program Description

Our Wildlife Rescue program is our response to the growing crisis faced by wildlife today. From rising water temperatures to ocean pollution, from domoic acid crises to entanglement in fishing gear, wildlife is under unprecedented threat. It's essential to better organize and prepare for wildlife rescue swiftly. Our program’s vision is built upon strong collaborations with international partners, rehabilitation groups, and pioneering technologists. Together, we aim to revolutionize the discovery, rescue, and treatment of wounded wildlife, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to ensure the swift and efficient retrieval and transport of injured animals to dedicated rehabilitation facilities.

The Group

What is Wildlife Jewels Rescue Collective?

This group is a dedicated space for discussing wildlife in need, and fostering collaboration for prompt action. Members are encouraged to share valuable resources, discuss best practices for aiding distressed wildlife, and exchange news about wildlife rescue efforts. Our mission is to unite communities and foster collaborations among wildlife advocates, wildlife rescue organizations, NGOs, and rehabilitation groups, for quick and efficient wildlife rescue. Stay tuned for the official launch of our Group!!!!



Stay tuned for major program updates and news!

And for the launch of our new Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Group initiative. A space that enables the community to join our Rescue group and together we work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!

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