Wrecks and Ducks

The birds below are Northern Fulmars. An incident called a "wreck" has occurred the past several weeks where over a thousand were found dead in one day along the Central California coast. Beached, cold, and hungry fulmars were brought to rescue centers, and the ones that were able to be stabilized were brought to IBRRC. They are difficult to rehab, and in the past, only about 5% survived. During this crisis, however, about 36% have been released by IBRRC due to the discovery that tube feeding them salt water daily is a great benefit. They look like gulls, but are tube nose birds related to albatross. They also have strange behaviors.

. Another domestic duck looking for a home.

Jenny and Donna enjoying duck time. As I've mentioned before, Donna is a very rabid duck fan.

UCSC graduate, Jenny, has been our latest intern the past few weeks, but is leaving us on Christmas Eve - off to Baltimore to intern at an aquarium and learn how to wrestle seals. Her fun loving attitude will be missed by all.