Today was my first day at the IBRRC in San Pedro. When I arrived at the center, Dave, a longstanding 
volunteer, gave me a tour. The center has two huge outdoor aviaries with pools. One is 93 feet long and is big enough for pelicans to fly through it. They also have four pelagic pools, which are used to rehabilitate many different species of birds. Inside, there is a bird hospital area with a two-way communication system. School groups and other visitors can watch and talk to rehabilitators while they care for birds. Today, a school group watched as Erin Kellogg, the rehab manager, examined and drew blood from a
new Western gull.
A large portion of the birds that come in to the center, about one third, are the victims of derelict fishing gear. Derelict fishing gear is lost or abandoned fishing nets, lines, pots, and traps. The majority of this gear doesn’t decompose in seawater. It remains in the ocean for many years, trapping and injuring, or killing, birds and marine mammals. One current patient, a Black-crowned Night Heron, was found tangled in abandoned fishing line. The fishing line was wrapped so tightly around his toes that it cut off his circulation. Sadly, a couple of his toes had to be amputated. However, since his surgery, he’s been healing up nicely and he’s expected to make a full recovery. 
Click here for tips on fishing around birds and proper gear disposal.
So far, I’ve heard of oiled birds and marine mammals, but an oiled turtle? The IBRRC is currently rehabilitating a turtle that came in to the center covered in black tar. He looked completely
black when he arrived. Now that he has been washed with Dawn, he is a pretty green color again. I was so surprised and happy to see a turtle at the center. I think it’s great that Dawn works on carapaces, as well as fur and feathers!
Posted by Christy Buckley on Oct 24, 2006
