FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 25, 2004
Contact: Mary Schilder, PAWS Communication Specialist
Phone: 206.419.6646, email: marys@paws.org
Western Grebe, Victim of Oil Spill, to be Released Today!
At 1:00 pm, Monday, October 25th, a Western Grebe that was rescued at the Des Moines Marina, a victim of the Dalco Passage oil spill, will be released at Brackett’s Landing in Edmonds.
On October 15th, the bird was taken to the WDFW Wildlife Response Unit for intake and stabilization. It was heavily oiled and treated for ingestion of oiling as well as dehydration. The grebe received a physical examination along with nutritional support, and was placed in a well- ventilated, heated area to aid in the stabilization of the bird's body temperature. The bird continued to receive specialized care for the next several days to insure medical stability in preparation for the cleaning process.
On Sunday 17 October the bird was moved to the PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood where he underwent a complex cleaning process - washing, rinsing, and drying, performed by experienced PAWS response team members. The staff continued to care for the bird's nutritional and other needs; whole fish were introduced back into his diet. On Monday 18th October the grebe spent his first day back in the water in an enclosed pool, where he preened furiously, using his beak to realign his feathers to rebuild the total waterproofing necessary for surviving in an aquatic environment. He spent several days and nights in an indoor pool to ensure he was conditioned and waterproof before he was moved again to an outside pool on Thursday, 21 October. The Western Grebe has been monitored closely and continues to gain weight and improve his waterproofing on a daily basis.
For details contact Mary Schilder at 206.419.6646. Photos and video available.