Worldwide Hen Rescue is at the moment responding to an inflow of oiled seabirds following the invention of an roughly one-square-mile oil slick off the Santa Barbara coast. Since November 3, 2025, 109 oiled Western Grebes – long-necked diving birds that spend most of their lives on the water – have been admitted for vital care.
After preliminary stabilization on the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Community, the birds had been transferred to BirdRescue’s Southern California Wildlife Heart in San Pedro for intensive therapy. Discipline stories point out that extra affected birds are on the best way because the incident continues to unfold.
“An oil seep of this magnitude can hurt hundreds of birds,” stated CEO JD Bergeron. “That is precisely the type of scenario the place rapid, expert care makes the distinction between life and dying for these birds. However we can’t do it alone – we urgently want the general public’s help.”
Hen Rescue is issuing an pressing name for help because it covers all prices required to deal with affected wildlife. Donate to assist oiled birds now.
The place Did the Oil Come From?
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Bureau of Security and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and California Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Workplace of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) are investigating the supply of the oil. Laboratory affirmation is pending.
Whatever the supply – pure or human-caused – Hen Rescue stays dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating each affected chook that comes into care.
How Are We Responding?
For practically 55 years, Hen Rescue has been a frontrunner within the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife impacted by oil contamination and different environmental threats.
Upon arrival, oiled birds obtain rapid stabilization with heat, fluids, and vitamin earlier than being fastidiously washed by educated workers and volunteers utilizing heat water and Daybreak dish cleaning soap – a trusted cleansing agent sturdy sufficient to take away oil however light sufficient for delicate feathers.
Present process a wash is a really nerve-racking expertise for the birds. For the protection of the sufferers and the handlers, they’re mildly sedated. When the method is completed, the medication are reversed, waking them up to allow them to begin preening shortly whereas they dry.
Following the wash, birds spend weeks recovering as they regain power, waterproofing, and flight functionality earlier than being launched again to the wild. You may watch newly-washed birds waterproof their feathers in a pelagic pool on our dwell BirdCam.
How Can You Assist?
For residents alongside the Santa Barbara and Ventura County coasts, you too can play a significant position in serving to these birds. When you see a Western Grebe on the seashore, it seemingly wants rapid help. These birds not often come ashore. If feathers seem patchy, clumped, or dirty-looking, the chook could also be oiled.
When you encounter a chook in misery, name Hen Rescue’s HelpLine at 866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473) or contact native animal management or a close-by wildlife rehabilitation group.
Persevering with the Work
Hen Rescue’s groups will proceed to work alongside accomplice businesses as investigations progress. Information collected throughout rehabilitation will contribute to broader analysis efforts aimed toward understanding and mitigating future incidents.
In a quickly altering world, seabirds face mounting threats – from oil contamination to shifting ocean circumstances – and Hen Rescue continues to face prepared to supply skilled care each time wildlife wants assist. Click on right here to help oiled birds in care.
