Nearly 100 seabirds have been rescued after a one-square-mile oil slick was spotted off the Santa Barbara coast, and wildlife officials say more are expected in the coming days.
According to International Bird Rescue, 96 Western Grebes and one other species have been brought into care this week at the organization’s Los Angeles Wildlife Center in San Pedro. Most of the birds have been found in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, with one recovered in Malibu, officials said.
Wildlife officials believe the slick was likely caused by natural seep activity off the Santa Barbara coast. Because the event appears to be naturally occurring rather than a commercial spill, there are no dedicated cleanup funds, leaving the nonprofit to cover rehabilitation costs on its own.
JD Bergeron, CEO of International Bird Rescue, told KTLA’s Erin Myers that oil spills typically trigger state and federal funding, but natural seep incidents do not, so the organization is relying on public donations to help care for the affected birds.
Rescuers say the cleaning process can’t begin until each bird is strong enough to handle the stress of washing, which can be life-threatening if done too early.
Staff and volunteers first provide medical treatment, fluids and nutrition before washing the birds with a specialized nozzle. Afterward, they’re dried in protective pens equipped with modified grooming dryers, then placed into warm-water therapy pools to preen and rebuild their waterproofing.
Once healthy and fully waterproof, the birds are released back into the wild — a process that can take one to several weeks.
Bergeron also urged the public to watch for birds that appear out of place on the beach. “Because right now, these birds will be beaching themselves. They are getting oiled,” he said. “That makes them cold very fast, they stop eating, and within literally a couple of days, their chance of survival will be very much dependent on people recognizing the problem and picking them up.”
If you see an oiled bird along the Santa Barbara, Ventura or Los Angeles County coast, contact International Bird Rescue’s hotline at 866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473) or your local animal control agency.
International Bird Rescue is asking for the public’s support to help cover the cost of treatment. Donations can be made at birdrescue.org/donate-oiled-birds-2025, and daily updates on the rescue effort are available at birdrescue.org/2025-oiled-grebe-incident.