Topline:
Bird rescuers with International Bird Rescue announced Tuesday that they are continuing to care for two geese that got stuck in hot asphalt at La Brea Tar Pits in July. Thirteen other members of the flock died from a muscle disorder caused by overexertion.
What happened: The flock of Canada geese landed in the museum's lake pit, which can look like a regular lake to birds flying above. Animal control was alerted after the geese landed July 31, and they brought seven surviving geese to International Bird Rescue in San Pedro. One died en route, and four others died within a couple days.
The dangers of "tar": The tar pits are actually made of asphalt, which is derived from crude oil, as opposed to tar, which is made from organic materials. Animals that get stuck in asphalt can suffocate and endure serious skin burns.
What International Bird Rescue says: "It's a pit that people made filled with water, unlike the bubbly tar pits that you might see if you're walking around in the park," said Rebecca Duerr, the nonprofits director of research and veterinary science. "Covering it so it's not a visual attractant would probably be the best option to keep wildlife out of it."
What La Brea Tar Pits says: "It is an unfortunate and distressing situation when wildlife becomes entrapped in the natural asphalt seeps at the La Brea Tar Pits," a spokesperson from Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County said in a statement to LAist. "This particular situation is a rare occurrence, but animals occasionally getting stuck in the tar is a process that has been happening here for over 60,000 years."
What's next: The two surviving birds are recovering from burn wounds, feather loss and muscle damage. Duerr says the healthier goose could be released in two weeks, while she expects the other will stay in the rescue’s care for at least another month.