It's Raining Pelicans!

The recent storms and treacherous surf have wreaked havoc on the seabird population. Just in the month of January, CWC has admitted 29 California Brown Pelicans and is expecting more in the coming days. Most of the birds are suffering from hypothermia (they get very cold). Their feathers normally form a natural barrier to the water and act as insulation from the cold, but instead are matted by oil, grease and other substances from the massive runoff, much of it coming from roads and freeways. We had already received many pelicans prior to the storms that were emaciated from not finding food. The El Nino condition is causing water surface temperatures to rise, sending fish out to deeper, colder water. The storms dealt them a second blow. Our staff and volunteers are working very hard to stabilize them which requires warming them up and hydrating them. Once stabilized, they are transported to IBRRC (International Bird Rescue Research Center) in San Pedro for rehabilitation. They have received 107 pelicans and counting. It takes 5 to 7 days per bird before they can be released back into the wild.

Baby Elephant Seal Pup rescued 1-26-2010

Our Marine Mammal team rescued our first EVER black-coat elephant seal pup today! This approximately three weeks old pup should still be on the beach with her mother on one of the Channel Islands. However, last weeks storms and incredibly rough surf likely washed her out to sea where she was carried by the currents (she doesn't swim well yet) to our shores. She crash landed on the rocks at Leo Carillo State Beach and has numerous cuts, bruises and bumps. The "black-coat" refers to the curly black coat that all elephant seals are born with and that is shed shortly after weaning to reveal their normal brownish-silver pelage. She was transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro this morning. Her prognosis is guarded because she is so young, but we will all be keeping our fingers crossed for her!

Baby New Year Rescue 2010

This little sea lion pup was rescued from under a home on Malibu Rd.

Yearling Sea Lion Rescue 11-15-09

This female yearling sea lion looked like a baby she was so small. She's actually about one and a half years old and should weigh about 90 lbs. We observed her for 2 days and realized she hadn't made any effort to go out and hunt for food because she was in exactly the same place both days. It seemed she had just given up. Food sources have been hard to find for all the younger sea lions this year because of the warmer water surface temperatures. The fish move out to deeper, colder water and the small sea lions can't go that far. Upon assessment, she was very underweight (43 lbs.), dehydrated, lethargic and had a bloated stomach. We made the decision to make a rescue attempt, even though she was in a very tough place to get into and out of. After more than an hour of climbing over rocks, the rescue was complete. She was transferred to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro for medical assistance and rehabilitation. Her first week was pretty tough, but she is now eating on her own and gaining weight. If all continues to go well, she will be returning to the ocean soon with a second chance at life! Go Whitney!

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Help out our native wildlife and help the California Wildlife Center get a $25,000 donation!!!

Rescued Fox 11-09

We received this depressed, semi-lethargic 1-year-old fox yesterday from the Culver City area. The person who found him informed us that he had not been moving around very well for about 5 days, but there were no observable wounds to explain his behavior. CWC Veterinarian Dr. Duane Tom found nothing significantly wrong with him and x-rays returned normal. However, this little foxes blood work showed moderate anemia (low blood count) and since his clotting count was prolonged, it is probable that the fox is a victim of secondary poisoning (he ate something that had eaten poison)! The fox is being treated with vitamin K (initially with an injection and now in food for 2-4 weeks) which will help with clotting. At the end of treatment, Dr. Tom will check how quickly his blood clots on it’s own and determine whether more treatment is needed. Check back for further updates!

UPDATE: Our fox is doing so well, she has been moved into our outside bobcat/coyote/fox enclosure. She is eating well and gets very excited when her food arrives. She growls and then barks, so her caregiver will leave and she can eat=)

Marissa Bojiuc- Wildlife Hero

On Friday, October 2, 2009, we received a call at the Wildlife Center about an injured pelican in Marina Del Rey. It was from one of our Youth Rescue Blog followers, Marissa Bojiuc! She was playing volleyball and spotted it with a broken wing. Because of her quick action, this pelican will receive the medical attention it needs and hopefully, be returned back into the wild. On behalf of all of us at the California Wildlife Center, we thank you Marissa. You are setting a great example for our youth of today and showing everyone that if you care, you can make a difference. We salute you!