The IBRRC Team arrived in Louisiana today. Our team is working in partnership with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. Our organizations have a long history of working together on oil spills.
Together, our team has begun setting up a rehabilitation facility in a warehouse in Fort Jackson, LA just north of Venice about 70 miles from New Orleans.
There has only been one oiled bird recovered so far, a young Northern Gannet, which is being treated at the Fort Jackson rescue center. The bird was covered in thick, black oil and found offshore.
Another center is being set-up in Theodore, Alabama and staff from Tri-State Bird Rescue and International Bird Rescue are there beginning to set things up.
There are existing oiled bird treatment trailers in the area that were funded by Clean Gulf and Chevron so these are also being set-up to assist with stabilization of animals if necessary.
As of right now our teams are very much focused on preparing these facilities.
There is still not a great need for volunteers at this time as there is only one bird in care. Remember, if you are interested in volunteering you must call the Volunteer hotline at 1 866-448-5816.
And a big thank you to our partner, Procter & Gamble Co, who is sending 50 cases of Dawn dishwashing liquid to both centers. Dawn has supported us for more than 20 years on efforts to save aquatic birds worldwide.
– Jay Holcomb, IBRRC Executive Director
Also see:
Times-Picayune: Updates on BP Deepwater Horizon drilling disaster
Thank you! I used to work at the Environmental Studies Center, which is the Mobile, AL wildlife rehab center. I have given them my name for volunteering to help, as I have experience with wild birds. Thank you for all that you do!
Go Team! Yeh, I worked all 3 sea otter rehabs facilities after 89 Exxon spill. You guys have your work cut out for you, and imagine this one will be ongoing for months….. Cant come right away but keep me in mind for later times…… Will keep my eye on it down there… sending some dog crates as well….. for transportation of the critters at least to your facilities. I know you guys are in need of lots of things. Good luck to you and to those pelicans, gannets, loons, oh my, so many birds… and dolphins….manatees…. so many wild species…. this is simply TRAGIC!