Starving Seabirds Wash Ashore in California, Raising Concerns for Wildlife Rescuers
Wildlife rescuers in California are facing a new wave of distressed seabirds, primarily common murres, washing ashore in a starving and weakened state. Many of these birds are juveniles in their first year of life, struggling to find sufficient food in the open ocean. By the time they reach rehabilitation centers, many have suffered prolonged starvation, leading to organ damage that even intensive medical care cannot reverse. Pacific Wildlife Care, an organization with over four decades of experience, describes the scale and duration of this emergency as unprecedented. The first 24 hours are critical for these animals, with survival rates significantly increasing if they can be stabilized during this period. Those that survive often require weeks of intensive care, including warmth, fluids, medication, and nutritional support. The birds can also lose their natural waterproofing, necessitating specialized care to prevent hypothermia and pressure sores.
