Endangered And Threatened Birds Receive Vital Help From SeaWorld San Diego

After several weeks of rehabilitation at SeaWorld San Diego, two tiny, but incredibly unique birds—a California least tern and a western snowy plover—were recently returned to their natural habitat for a second chance at life at a protected stretch of beach at Naval Base Coronado. Both birds were outfitted with ID bands so that SeaWorld’s wildlife biologists can continue to monitor their progress.

The western snowy plover, a threatened species, was found unable to stand and in critical condition at the South Bay Salt Works. At the time of rescue, it weighed the equivalent of a teaspoon of water. The chick received four weeks of expert rehabilitative care at SeaWorld's Bird Rescue Center, where the team administered hourly tube feedings for the first three days. The bird responded to treatment, quickly grew in strength and size, and in no time started to test its wings. The SeaWorld Rescue teams in San Diego, San Antonio, and Orlando have continually been rescuing animals during these uncertain times.