Photo by Paul Berry It seems we post about an oiled hawk every few weeks, and thus far 2014 is no exception. The rehab team at our Los Angeles center recently washed this Red-tailed Hawk, found at an area refinery covered in thick, black oil. Paul Berry took this fantastic photo from the wash procedure. … Read more
Photos by Angela Woodside In 2013, both our wildlife centers in California cared for a number of raptors that were either oiled or affected by other substances, such as glue trap material. Though International Bird Rescue primarily cares for aquatic birds, there are times when other animals that fall outside of our usual spectrum of … Read more
With their haunting calls and beautiful breeding plumage, Common Loons are regular winter visitors to the Pacific Coast. And like other diving birds, they are susceptible to becoming oiled, whether by natural seepage or human-caused events. Here, Dr. Rebecca Duerr and wildlife rehabilitators Kylie Clatterbuck (left) and Julie Skoglund of International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles … Read more
In late July, International Bird Rescue sent response teams to Canada to assist in the capture and rehabilitation of animals impacted by a bitumen release at the Canadian Natural Resources Limited Primrose Project in northeastern Alberta. Our teams worked at two different sites: the lake where oiled wildlife were captured, and the rehabilitation center in … Read more
Well, not quite. But the Rhinoceros Auklet gets its name for a reason. Residents of the North Pacific, Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) are also known as “Unicorn Puffins” for the small horn extension on their beaks, present in both males and females during breeding season (click here for a photo of this species during breeding). … Read more
Diana Pereira (left) and Julie Skoglund prepare to wash an oiled Red-tailed Hawk, photos by Dave Weeshoff Last week, our Los Angeles center team washed an oiled Red-tailed Hawk, which was lightly sedated to minimize stress on the animal during the procedure. A photo of this wash posted to our Facebook page has become one … Read more
International Bird Rescue has sent a four-person team to assist in collection and rehabilitation efforts for wildlife affected by the bitumen release at the Canadian Natural Resources Limited Primrose Project in northeastern Alberta (read this report in the Edmonton Journal for more information on animal care efforts). We are proud to be working alongside The … Read more
This week, we’re truly putting our “Every Bird Matters” tagline into practice by responding to an oil contamination event that has affected animals on Alaska’s remote St. Lawrence Island. Along with local villagers, federal and state officials have found a total of seven oiled seabirds and seals on the island, located in the Bering Sea … Read more
Little Blue Penguin cared for during the Rena Spill in New Zealand, 2011. Photo: Curt Clumpner Update, 3/6/14: Every so often, the “sweaters on oiled penguins” story resurfaces in the media. “Does this work?” invariably we’re asked about using knit sweaters to keep birds warm and to prevent the preening of oiled feathers. Here’s our … Read more
On July 2, 2011 a Silvertip Pipeline break occurred on the Yellowstone River near Billings, Montana. A team of six oiled wildlife response experts from International Bird Rescue was deployed to Montana following the pipeline Spill. The response team, headed up by Director Emeritus, Jay Holcomb, began arriving in Billings, Montana, on July 3 and … Read more