Los Angeles oiled bird rescue center opens

MEDIA ADVISORY: L.A. OILED BIRD RESCUE CENTER OPENS

WHAT: Opening of the new Los Angeles center in the world's most advanced rescue network for oiled wildlife

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 21

WHERE: Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

WHO: Attendees will include officials from:

* UC Davis Wildlife Health Center, a program of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

* Office of Spill Prevention and Response, a unit of the California Department of Fish and Game

* International Bird Rescue Research Center

* Oil industry

VISUALS: After a short dedication ceremony, media will be able to tour the 12,000-square-foot facility, hold interviews with project officials and volunteers, and photograph live, healthy birds being used to demonstrate the care that an oiled bird would receive.

The demonstrations will include physical exams of a bird's wings, feet, eyes, etc; how blood samples are taken; tube- feeding of birds for hydration before they are cleaned; and the procedures involved in the cleaning of an oiled bird.

OTHER VISUALS: Large outdoor aviaries with pools for pelicans. Hospital area's two-way communication system so schoolchildren and other visitors can see and talk to rehabilitators as they care for injured birds. Video cameras and monitors connected to outdoor aviaries to allow the public to view animals in care.

BACKGROUND: Oiled birds have their best chance at survival if they are cared for by well-trained staff in a properly designed and equipped veterinary facility. This new $2.5 million facility will offer that quality of care for up to 1,000 aquatic birds affected by an oil spill in the Los Angeles area.

The new Los Angeles center is the fifth and final major link in the state's Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN), the world's most advanced rescue system for oiled wildlife. The OWCN is a model for rescue programs in other countries. It is managed by the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center and funded by the California Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

The new facility, operated by International Bird Rescue Research Center, will also be used to train veterinarians, staff and volunteers for oil-spill rehabilitation and to care for birds with non-oil-related injuries. In partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, the facility will also be used to educate grade-school children in wildlife health and conservation issues.

DIRECTIONS: The Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center is adjacent to the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur. Take Interstate 110 south to its end in San Pedro. Exit onto Gaffey Street and travel south. Pass under sign saying "Welcome to San Pedro." At 25th Street fork, use left lane to continue on Gaffey. Just past 36th Street, look for the sign on right for Angels Gate Park. Turn right on Leavenworth Street into the park. Stay on main road over many speed bumps. Continue around bend; watch for large parking lot on right side of street. The bird center is in the middle building to the left of the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur.

Media contacts:

-- Dr. Jonna Mazet (pronounced Muh-ZETT), Wildlife Health Center, 530-752-4167, wildlifehealth@ucdavis.edu

-- Dana Michaels, California Department of Fish and Game, 916-327-9948, dmichael@ospr.dfg.ca.gov

-- Karen Benzel, International Bird Rescue Research Center, 510-814-7277

-- Sylvia Wright, UC Davis News Service, 530-752-7704, swright@ucdavis.edu. Cell phone on March 21: 530-304-8100.