Photo courtesy of IBRRC

The largest oil spill disaster in US history, Deepwater Horizon Incident began on 20 April 2010 when a BP well blow out in the Gulf of Mexico. It is yet to be contained and so far has polluted nearly 50,000 square miles of fragile Gulf waters including critical wetland habitat and over 2,000 birds including Pelicans, Gulls, Dunlins, Gannets, Herons, Egrets, Terns, Ibis and Spoonbills.

For daily statistics of affected wildlife including birds, sea turtles and dolphins visit International Bird Rescue Research Centre (IBRRC) .  We will probably never know just how many animals will suffer and perish as a result of this terrible environmental tragedy and their habitat, their home will take generations to recover.

We have been contacted by many people knowing that we are dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of pelicans and seabirds expressing their dismay at the oil spill and are wondering how they can help. We have listed below a number of informative websites of US organisations that are contributing to the rescue and rehabilitation of affected wildlife. The collective sentiment regarding donations is that although ‘BP will fund the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of wildlife affected by the Deepwater Horizon Incident there continues to be thousands of sick, injured and orphaned animals all over the world every day that need help your help. These animals are cared for by local wildlife rehabilitation organisations and you’re strongly encouraged to support them and the great they do.’

If you wish to make a donation to Pelican and Seabird Rescue please click on the PayPal button, post a cheque or money order or talk to one of our dedicated volunteers when they’re in your area. Please identify if this is a donation for the Deepwater Horizon Incident and we will ensure it is forwarded to the relevant US wildlife organisation.

Helpful links include:

International Bird Rescue Research Centre
International Bird Rescue Research Centre Blog
Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
Save Our Seabirds Inc.
Oiled Wildlife Care Network
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

There were nine Award Categories to choose from and the PaSR team entered the Brisbane Airport Community Award Category. The project entered was titled ‘The rescue and rehabilitation of native birds in South East Queensland as a direct consequence of fishing’.

And guess what?

… drum roll…

We won!

Congratulations to the entire PASR Team!

The valuable contribution from each individual team member makes a huge difference to thousands of injured birds throughout South East Queensland every year. You go the extra mile and that is what makes PaSR so special. Without you many birds would suffer unnecessarily and die without the opportunity to be helped. Thank you to all our families and friends who so lovingly support our work, understand our passion, and forgive us for sometimes neglecting other life pursuits due to rescues and the responsibility involved in rehabilitating injured or orphaned birds.

To all our local vets please accept Very big heartfelt thankyous! Your support and dedication help us so much. Extra special thanks to Raby Bay Vet, Brisbane Bird Vet, Brisbane Bird and Exotics Vet and Belmont Road Vet. Thank you also to the Australia Zoo Hospital. Wildlife rehabilitators would be lost without the specialist treatment you provide to injured wildlife.

To the many people who care about birds and phone our rescue hotline to report an injured, sick or orphaned bird – thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to care. To the many more of you out there who have helped us along the way, taking us onto your boat, climbing the tree with us, diving into the water, writing a proactive letter
or giving a generous donation.

Thank you to Brisbane Airport who sponsored our award and SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership. Thank you also to the many organisations and government agencies that take an interest in our work and are proactive in wildlife and environmental conversation.

We’d like to congratulate all the other category finalists and winners for 2010 and wish you much success with the amazing work you’re all doing. It was inspiring for us to learn of the many projects for the preservation of South East Queensland Waterways. It gives a hope that the birds we rehabilitate are being released into fresh, clean, healthy water sources that are managed and monitored by passionate organisations and individuals.

For more information please visit the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership.

Our goal is to fill this website with useful contacts and information about the care and conservation of our precious native feathered friends. It doesn’t matter if you are a veteran wildlife carer, you’ve found a Pelican with fishing line caught around its leg, or you simply want help with a school assignment on seabirds… you’re at the right place.

You’ll discover the first thing to do when finding injured or orphaned birds, what you can do to help protect our unique fauna, the latest news on Australian Wildlife, as well as tales from carers as they work to rescue, rehabilitate and release native birds.

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