More than 100 birds have been rescued following the crude oil pipeline spill in East Los Angeles, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wildlife health experts are among the responders helping rehabilitate affected birds through the UC Davis-administered Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN).
Since late May, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Wildlife Care and Wildlife Health team members have deployed to assist with the rescue and rehabilitation effort. Their work has included stabilizing oiled birds with IV fluids, tube feedings and medications, collecting blood samples, washing birds and providing ongoing care as the animals recover.
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is a statewide network of trained wildlife care providers, regulatory agencies, academic institutions and wildlife organizations that work together to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife impacted by oil spills. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is one of 24 partner organizations that responded to the spill.
To date, 131 visibly oiled birds have been rescued. Eighty-one have already been rehabilitated and released, while 24 remain in care.
Learn more at sdzwa.org.
