Sea Foam Killing Seabirds

According to OregonLive.com, thousands of seabirds have been killed by Akashiwo sanguinea, a type of algae foam, in recent weeks along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. While algae blooms are not uncommon, the scale of this event is the largest ever recorded on the West coast. Recent storms are contributing to the problem by washing the foam into large sticky clumps. The foam strips birds of the natural oils that weatherproof their feathers, eventually causing hypothermia and death.

The majority of birds affected are loons, murres, grebes and scoters. The Wildlife Center of the North Coast near Astoria, Oregon, is the only rehabilitation facility in the area and they are struggling to care for the more than 500 birds that have been brought to the center. Volunteers and cash donations are welcome to help care for the birds, and donations of towels, bleach and large dog kennels to carry the birds are also needed.

For more information or to donate, visit www.CoastWildlife.org.

Algae Sea Foam
Photo © John Wigham