Overview
- International Bird Rescue in San Pedro has admitted 96–97 Western Grebes since Monday from Santa Barbara and Ventura beaches, and the group warns hundreds more could arrive.
- The U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and California Fish and Wildlife’s spill unit are investigating the roughly one‑square‑mile slick, with lab source confirmation pending.
- Staff first stabilize birds with heat, fluids and nutrition before washing with warm water and Dawn dish soap, then dry and recondition them to restore waterproofing before release.
- Because a natural seep likely caused the oiling, the nonprofit is covering all treatment costs and estimates the response could reach about $200,000.
- Officials urge the public to report distressed seabirds to lifeguards, local animal control or the 866‑SOS‑BIRD hotline rather than attempting rescues.