Topline:
At least 97 oiled seabirds have arrived at the International Bird Rescue facility in San Pedro since Monday, according to wildlife officials. The birds were caught in a natural oil seep along the Ventura and Santa Barbara coasts.
What we know: Rescue officials say the oil seep came from cracks in the sea floor and surfaced to cover around one square mile. All the affected birds, except one, are Western Grebes. These long-necked diving birds spend most of their lives on the water and finding them on land is unusual. In recent days, the birds have been found on Southern California beaches.
What happens when a bird reaches the facility? Oiled birds that arrive at the facility are stabilized and treated with medication if needed. They’re then washed and checked again before being released.
What officials say: “They're not just suffering from being oiled. They're also cold and they're emaciated. So we need to build their body and their strength back up before we put them through the wash process,” Kylie Clatterbuck, wildlife center manager with the group, told LAist.
How you can help: If you spot a seabird with unusual behavior or in distress, wildlife experts urge the public to flag a lifeguard or contact animal control. You can also call the Bird Rescue help line at (866) 767-2473.