California Seabird Specialists Respond to Fatal Foaming

Oil Spill Experts from California Answer Call of Oregon Wildlife Groups Fighting to Save Hundreds of Seabirds from Deadly Ocean Foam.

Rehabilitated loons and grebes are the same type of birds currently affected in Oregon, larger photos below. Courtesy: http://www.ibrrc.org/

(SAN FRANCISCO) - 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. Source: International Bird Rescue Research Center