The SPCA for Monterey County rescued over 150 Northern Fulmars from Monterey County beaches on Tuesday, November 20.  The majority of the birds were found on Marina State Beach.

Wildlife staff and volunteers worked late into the night and through Thanksgiving warming, hydrating, and feeding the rescued birds.  When they were rescued, the birds were wet and exhibiting signs of hypothermia.  At this point, the birds appear to be emaciated and scientists believe that the problem might be associated with red tide.

Media coverage on the Northern Fulmar Rescue:                                                  Vern Fisher/The Herald
     KCBA evening news story "Marina Bird Death Crisis"                                  
     Salinas Californian story "SPCA Rescues Sick Seabirds"
     Monterey Herald story "Mystery illness strikes birds"
     KION news story "Marina birds starve"
     Monterey Herald Story "Sick Seabirds were Starving"
     KTVU (San Francisco) news story "Janine de la Vega Reports On Dozens Of Dead Birds In Monterey County"
     Monterey Herald story "Beached birds may be victims of red tide"

The fulmars have now been transferred to the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz.  The SPCA Wildlife Center is continuing to assist in the care of the fulmars in Santa Cruz while still rescuing and rehabilitating other native wildlife in our community.  The fulmars are expected to be released at the end of November.

The SPCA is seeking donations to cover the cost of rescue and care for the fulmars and all other injured and orphaned wild animals in our Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.  The SPCA is also seeking volunteers to help care for wild animals in need.  Please contact us for more information. 

 WILDLIFE SUCCESS STORIES

Great Horned Owl Nestlings

The SPCA of Monterey County rescued two Great Horned Owl nestlings that fell from their nest after their tree was cut down in an industrial park just off of Highway 218 in Del Rey Oaks.  SPCA Wildlife Rescue hydrated and fed the nestlings and returned them to the area in a makeshift nest affixed to the largest tree close to the original nesting site. 

Wildife Supervisor Sue Campbell watched the nest to ensure the parents would find and care for the nestlings.  At 8:00 that night, one parent stopped nearby with food but was unable to locate the nestlings.  SPCA Wildlife Staff checked and hydrated and fed the nestlings again the next morning.  Sunday morning, after 48 hours as orphans, the nestlings were finally reunited with their parents.

In this case, The SPCA of Monterey County was successful in reuniting the baby owls with their parents.  But every year, The SPCA receives baby squirrels and birds that have been injured or orphaned by ill-timed and often illegal tree pruning. 

Federal law requires that bird nests not be disturbed until eggs hatch and the babies leave the nest.  If you absolutely need to prune a tree for safety reasons, carefully check the area for squirrel and bird nests first. Squirrels nest twice a year from February to May, then again from July to September.  If you find a nest with eggs or babies, moving or destroying the nest will severely hurt the babies' chance of survival.

If you find a baby bird or fledgling that is not obviously injured or orphaned, please call the professional wildlife rescue and rehabilitation staff at The SPCA for advice before capturing and bringing them to The SPCA as capture might be unnecessary. 

Ross's Goose Rescue and Release

This Ross's Goose was found on Asilomar State Beach and brought to the ranger’s office by concerned citizens.  The ranger put the freezing bird in a box and placed in front of the wall heater. The goose was picked up by SPCA Wildlife Center Supervisor Sue Campbell, who drove it back to The SPCA with her car heater up all the way.  The goose did not have a registered temperature for two hours after arrival and the first temp was extremely low at 95.2.  The bird was hypothermic and dehydrated.  We warmed it in an incubator and blew dry its wet feathers.  The bird was hydrated with warmed fluids given subcutaneously and tube fed.

After recovery, the Ross's Goose was transported to the Merced National Wildlife refuge for release on December 20th. The rehabilitated goose quickly joined a large flock, blending in immediately (photo below).