Could we get a little murre with that frankincense?

Christmas Day, Duane and i decided to forego brunch in Pebble Beach, and instead, take the wildlife ambulance on a mission up the coast toward San Francisco looking for animals in distress... doing what we do best!



Just south of Half Moon Bay we spotted a murre on Pomponio State Beach.  He was freshly oiled (probably natural seep) but he was REALLY 'up'. It took some effort to get him before he got back into the water. He was transferred to Peninsula Humane and will be sent to Int'l Bird Rescue for washing and care.

The next poor bird we found was an injured gull. He was wet and hungry and easy to capture. He, too, was taken to a wildlife center for care. Check out the video below.

We probably would have found other birds if the weather had not been so bad. Normally we are able to find large groups of gulls hanging around at 'hot spots', but with the wind and rain there were few.

2nd Beer Can Collared Gull SAVED!

Today, WildRescue capture specialists traveled to San Francisco State University in hope of capturing a second Budweiser can collared gull that was reported a few of weeks ago.

Thanks to help from a concerned citizen who kept watch over the gull and befriended it with daily handouts, we were able to get close enough to catch the elusive seabird - one of possibly 5 gulls in the Bay Area that have been maliciously captured and collared with cut Budweiser beer cans.

Once netted, the juvenile Western gull was checked thoroughly, on site, by wildlife rehabilitator Mark Russell from International Bird Rescue (Fairfield). It was found to be in good health and was released on the spot. Watch video HERE.

If left on the birds the cans will eventually kill them. Their sharp edges interfere with the feathers causing the birds to lose precious body heat and allowing cold air and water to reach the bird’s skin.


Photo credit: Russ Curtis

Another gull sighting

Another can-collared juvenile gull was spotted today at San Francisco State University. 

WANTED! Bounty now at 6K

Thanks to a generous pledge from California Beer and Beverage Distributors the reward being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who collared the gulls with beer cans is now at $6,000.00.  CBBD is a nonprofit representing 100 beer distributors and brewer/vendor members in California. 

Wooooohoo! We got him!

After a couple of weeks and many rescue attempts, we finally outsmarted the juvenile gull at Lake Merced. He's just one of as many as 5 gulls that were caught by someone and fitted with Budweiser beer can collars. A federal crime and act of animal cruelty to say the least! Here are some of the pictures and the link to the VIDEO.

Many thanks!

Thanks to an outpouring of support we have been able to order the much-needed capture tool that will help us rescue the wary beer-can collared gulls!

The Coda NetLauncher, a high-tech piece of equipment, will not only serve this one time, but will allow us to help even more hard-to-catch wild animals for many years to come. It's expected to ship this coming Friday. 

In the meantime, we plan on attempting a few more captures before the week is over.

We're still asking that the public not try to capture the birds, but instead, they should call our dedicated pager 831-429-2323 or email rescue@wildrescue.org to report the sighting.

Why should people not try to catch the gulls? Any stalking, lunging, or grabbing at the birds will only make them harder to approach and help. It could also drive them out of the area where they will never be found. We want the gulls to feel more at ease around people - that's why we are not pursuing them daily.

While they're not in any immediate danger, they are miserable as the metal ring causes the feathers to separate, allowing cold air and water to penetrate to the skin. They are also unable to feed normally.

Whoever did this to these birds faces severe penalties and possibly jail time. It's not only an act of animal cruelty but a Federal crime to have harmed a wild bird. We hope the reward, which is now at $3,000.00, will reach $10,000.00 or more through pledges or by the Anheuser-Busch company stepping up.

We contacted them today and are awaiting a return call. It's time they make a statement regarding these acts of cruelty using their product. 

THE STORY: It began November 3rd when we, WildRescue and International Bird Rescue (Fairfield) realized there were additional beer-can-collared gulls than the one that had been reported back in September.

We contacted the news and soon word had spread and we became inundated with emails, calls, and photographs about more sightings, confirming additional victims, perhaps as many as five. The birds have been spotted on Stinson Beach, at fishermen's WHarf, Alcatraz, Berkeley, Fremont, and Half Moon Bay.

It's a Federal crime, punishable by severe penalties and potentially jail time. Wild birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is an offense to even touch a wild bird without the proper permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service who administrates the Act. There is a reward for the conviction of those responsible.

NEWS CLIPS 

Grant from SPCAI

We recently received a grant from SPCA International to help us move forward with our projects focused on the Gulf in the aftermath of the spill. Thank you SPCAI!!!


Read about what we're doing HERE!

In the news...

The Santa Cruz Sentinel did a great piece on our efforts. Check it out HERE.

On the frontlines of the Gulf Oil Spill - a presentation December 4th

Having recently returned home from nearly five months on the Gulf Coast, WildRescue directors Rebecca Dmytryk and Duane Titus will be giving a presentation on their experience helping to rescue oiled wildlife. 

Joining them for the afternoon speaking engagement will be Jay Holcomb of International Bird Rescue, world leader in oiled wildlife recovery and aquatic bird care.

As these rescue specialists recount their experiences through anecdotes and never-seen video clips and pictures, attendees will get a firsthand look at what it was like to be on the frontlines of the largest oil spill disaster in U.S. history.

This fundraising event for WildRescue will take place at the Monterey Peninsula College Lecture Forum 103 on December 4th. Doors open at 2:30. The program will begin promptly at 3:00 and run until 4:30 with time for questions.

Tickets are on sale now at $15. through November 24th. Admission will be $20.00 at the door. Admission price includes a chance to win a beautiful framed photograph of a young pelican, one of the survivors of the oil spill.

Buy tickets online HERE or by sending a check to WildRescue PO Box 65 Moss Landing CA 95039. For more information call 831-840-3896

Download a flyer for the event  HERE.