Sweep for Wildlife: A Recap from the Wildlife Jewels King Tides Beach Cleanup & Tide Pools Exploration Walk in Corona Del Mar!

Wildlife Jewels Coastal Cleanup Day Sweep and Learn for Wildlife walk in Corona Del Mar

Thank you for joining us at the Wildlife Jewels Corona del Mar King Tides Beach Cleanup Walk! Your dedication to cleaning the beach and protecting our precious wildlife is truly appreciated.

On Sunday December 15th, Wildlife Jewels organized and hosted a community beach clean-up in Corona Del Mar State Beach and king tides exploration walk at little corona del mar tide pools. This event was part of our Sweep for Wildlife program from our Ocean Conservation initiative aimed at cleaning the beach and educating the community about our native wildlife, the threats debris poses to their lives, and ways they can contribute to protecting them.

We would like to Thank everyone who joined us at the Wildlife Jewels King Tides Sweep and Learn for Wildlife walk in Corona Del Mar!

Your participation has made a significant impact in protecting our invaluable wildlife. Together, we’ve helped prevent them from ingesting tiny plastic fragments, thin plastic wraps, Styrofoam, chocolate, charcoal, bottle caps, chips & candy wrappers, plastic utensils, and from getting entangled in fishing lines or trapped in plastic wrap. We've also removed glass pieces from the sand that could cause injuries. Your contribution in removing these items from the beach is invaluable, as every piece of debris poses a threat to wildlife.

During our walk, we had the pleasure of observing beautiful birds like the Western Gull, California Gull, Heermann’s Gull, and California Brown Pelicans. We also explored the tide pools during one of the lowest tides of the year, and discovered fascinating sea life, including horseshoe crabs, sea anemones, sea slugs, and more.

Sadly, we also encountered a beautiful Gull who was missing one foot, with the other tightly wrapped in a fishing line. Concerned volunteers observed her at the start of the event. To our surprise, as we wrapped up the cleanup, she flew towards our group, landed nearby, and watched us as if she was asking for help. Witnessing this was a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact marine debris has on our precious wildlife. Every animal matters, and it’s a call to action for all of us to help protect them. Over the past few months, we've observed a significant increase in the number of gulls with missing feet and/or entangled in fishing line during our coastal wildlife monitoring efforts. Every animal matters, and it’s a call to action for all of us to help protect them.

To report a distressed Wildlife Contact:

Santa Barbara (805) 681-1080 (Santa Barbara Wildlife Network)

Orange County (714) 374 - 5587 Wetlands & Wildlife Center or Orange County Animal Control 714-935-6848

Orange County Animal Control after hours (949)644-3717

Los Angeles (310) 514- 2573

San Diego (800) 541- 7325

To Join our wildlife monitoring and rescue group to help detect and report distressed wildlife, sign up HERE!

Learn more about our Sweep for Wildlife initiative and get involved! Help us protect wildlife!

Wildlife Jewels King Tides Sweep and Learn for Wildlife walk in Corona Del Mar! December 15, 2024

Sadly, we also encountered a beautiful Gull who was missing one foot, with the other tightly wrapped in a fishing line. Concerned volunteers observed her at the start of the event. To our surprise, as we wrapped up the cleanup, she flew towards our group, landed nearby, and watched us as if she was asking for help. Witnessing this was a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact marine debris has on our precious wildlife. Over the past few months, we've observed a significant increase in the number of gulls with missing feet and/or entangled in fishing line during our coastal wildlife monitoring efforts. Every animal matters, and it’s a call to action for all of us to help protect them.

One of our dedicated volunteers spotted a precious bird with one missing foot and the other entangled in fishing line.

December 15th 2024, Corona del Mar State Beach

Fishing Gear

Every day, countless seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals suffer injuries or lose their lives due to entanglement in fishing lines and hooks. This includes the tragic consequence of swallowing fishing hooks.

Hooks and lines caught in debris can lead to devastating entanglements for animals, causing injuries to legs, wings, and beaks of birds. A single hook caught in a beak or mouth can be devastating leading to starvation and death.

Thanks to the dedication of our participants, we were able to locate and remove fishing lines and at least one fishing hook during our clean-up in Corona Del Mar. This debris poses a significant threat to seabirds and shorebirds, especially as lines and hooks become ensnared in branches and seaweed along the shoreline— where these birds search for food.

By picking up debris, even just one fishing hook, you are making a difference saving wildlife!