JUNE COTM: Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

Team EFA's June COTM:

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

chosen by Ashley of BirdsInHand

Photographs courtesy of SSS

Located in Florida , the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is the largest nonprofit wild bird hospital in the world. Founded by zoologist Ralph T. Heath, the Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured birds. Many are released upon recovery, but some (unable to survive in the wild) remain at the Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is equipped with medical facilities, with veterinarians and professionally trained staff working year-round. Volunteers are also an integral part of the operations. The facilities stay busy, with dozens of birds admitted daily, as well as many visitors.

Duck in Hospital

Over 8,000 birds are brought to the Sanctuary each year, the overwhelming majority of whom are injured due to human causes. Birds face hazards such as fishing line, hooks, gunshots, pollution, and pesticide poisoning. Those birds lucky enough to be brought to the Sanctuary have an 80% success rate of re-entry into the wild.

Northern Gannet Release

The dream of this organization began with the rescue of an injured cormorant on the side of a highway in 1971. More birds followed, and the nonprofit Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary was created to manage the cost of caring for the (then) 400 strong population of birds. In 1974 a local business complained about the Sanctuary, and the operation was faced with impending eviction.

Northern Gannet

Luckily, it was possible to move the birds a few hundred feet to Indian Shores , where they still reside. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation of avian wildlife, the Sanctuary also provides education to school groups as well as the general public. Their website provides good information about what to do if one finds an injured bird, as well as responsible tips to avoid putting wildlife at risk.

Blue Jay Fledgling

Needless to say, much money is needed to keep these valuable services up and running. It is now “baby bird season” and the Sanctuary is even more pressed for resources.

My shop BirdsinHand will match up to $200 in donations made to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary during the month of June.

I’d like to challenge my fellow EFA members to see how much we can raise for this worthy cause!

Baby Brown Pelican Fledglings

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THANKS !