First responders resource guide for seabird emergencies First Responders Resource Guide 2014 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 NSWcoaStalbirdS 2 2. COMMONENTaNglEMENTS/INjURIES 8 2.1 YourSafetY 2.2 recordkeepiNg 2.3 commoNeNtaNglemeNtSaNdiNjurieS 2.4 patrolS/clueStoeNtaNglemeNtaNdiNjurY 2.5 captureprioritieS 2.6 thereScuekit 2.7 haNdliNg 2.8 capturemethodS 2.9 firStaidiNthefieldforcommoNiNjurieS 2.10traNSport 2.11releaSiNgbirdS 8 8 9 11 13 13 14 17 25 27 29 3. MaRINEOIlaNDChEMICalSpIll 31 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 31 34 36 37 38 4. CONTaCTSaNDOThERRESOURCES 41 4.1 refereNceS 4.2 publiShedreSearchaNdotherreSourceS 4.3 iNterNetreSourceS 41 41 42 iNtroductioN prepariNgforaNemergeNcYreSpoNSe participatiNgiNaNemergeNcYreSpoNSe recoveriNgfromaNemergeNcYreSpoNSe majoroilSpillcaSeStudieS First Responders Resource Guide 2014 introduction T 1 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS(1,2) Cormorants Pied cormorant 65-80 cm Sub-familyPhalocrocoracinae Little black cormorant 58-65 cm blackorpiedwaterbirdsthatfrequentestuaries,rivers, mangroves,coastalareasandrockycoastalislands. •longnecksandtails. •Shortlegswithallfourtoesjoinedbywebbing. •hookedbeak. •Swimanddiveforfish,yabbiesandshrimp. •Wingsarenotwaterrepellentsotheyspreadtheir wingstodry. •buildanestoverwater,breedmostmonths. •allcommonandnomadic. Little pied cormorant 55-65 cm WARNING Great (black) cormorant 70-95 cm 2 All cormorant species have razor-sharp beaks with a large hook at the end that can cause serious damage. Gannets also have an extremely sharp serrated beak. When handling a cormorant or a gannet ALWAYS wear welding gloves and protective glasses. First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS Terns Crested tern 48 cm FamilyLaridae ternsgenerallyhavewhitebreastsandbellies,grey upperwings,aforkedtail,characteristicv-shapedwings, andastraightpointedbeak.theyarefoundincoastal areas,offshoreislands,bays,estuariesandtidalinlets. CRESTEDTERN •Stand-upcrest,yellowbeak,andblacklegs. •diveforfish;nestonoffshoreislandsbetweenmarchdecember;commonandsedentary,resident. COMMONTERN •blackbeakandblacklegs. •Skimforfishonthewater’ssurface;breedinSiberia, migratetoaustraliainoctoberanddepartinmarch. lITTlETERN •Yellowbeak,blackeye-maskthatextendstothebeak. •diveforfish;migratory,breedinaustraliabetween octoberandjanuary,migratetojapaninmarch. FaIRyTERN •Yellowbeak,whitefacewithblackeyemask. •diveforfish;breedinaustralia(November-february). Common tern 38 cm Little tern 25 cm Fairy tern 27 cm 3 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS Gulls Silver gull 35-45 cm FamilyLaridae Juvenile silver gull Kelp gull 55-60 cm Juvenile kelp gull 4 gullsareopportunisticfeedersfoundinsmalltovery largeflocksinavarietyofhabitatsalongtheNSWcoast. theygenerallybreedincoloniesonoffshoreislandsand headlandsbetweenSeptemberandjanuary. SIlvERgUll •familiarandubiquitous,whitebodyandtailwith silver-greyupperwings,adultshaveredlegs,beakand eye-ring,juvenilesblacklegs,beakandeye-ring. •extremelyvarieddietincludingfish,invertebrates, seedsandeggs. •feedatwater’sedgeandonthesurface. •common,nomadic,breedsandlivesinaustralia. kElpgUll •larger,whitetipsandspotsonprimaryfeathers, adultshaveayellowbeakwitharedspotonthelower mandibleandgreen-greytoyellowishlegs,juveniles haveablackbeakandpalelegs. •alsoextremelyvarieddiet,abletodivebrieflybelow thewater’ssurfaceanddropmolluscsontohard surfacestobreakopentheshells. First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS Pelicans Australian pelican 170-190 cm Penguins Little penguin 30-33 cm FamilyPelecanidae FamilySpheniscidae theaustralianpelicancanbefoundat coastalbeaches,estuaries,wetlands andwaterways. • adultsareblack-and-white(juveniles brown-and-white)withalonghooked billandfleshypouch,anddistinctive yellowringaroundtheeye. • feedsinshallowwateronfishand crustaceans. • breedsafterrainswhenwaterlevels aresufficient,nestincoloniesonthe groundatinlandwaterways(notably lakeeyre). • common,nomadic,travelslong distancesinv-formation,anduses thermalstosoarto greatheights. littlepenguinsarefoundincolonies scatteredalongtheNSWsouthern coast.atonlyaround1kgtheyarethe smallestoftheseflightless,southern hemisphereseabirdspecies. • Slate-bluebackfeathersandflippers withwhiteunderside,silvereyeand blackbeak. • largewebbedfeetandmodified wings(flippers)usedto‘fly’through thewater. • feedonfishcaughtunderwater atsea. • Nestinburrowsincolonies,and breedbetweenjulyandmarch. • moultbetweenfebruaryandapril, whentheyarenotwaterproofand mustremainonland. Juvenile pelican 5 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS Migratory species – seabirds Gannets FamilySulidae Australasian gannet 80-90 cm, and juvenile (inset) theaustralasiangannetisgenerallyfound foragingincoastalwatersofNSWduring winterwhenadultsandjuvenilesmigrate alongtheeastcoastfromcoloniesin bassStraitoracrossthetasmanSeafrom coloniesinNewZealand. •adultsarewhitewithblackwingtips anddarkwebbedfeet,abuff-yellowhead withabluishringofskinaroundtheeyes, andablue-greybeakwithstrikingblack bordersandsmall,extremely sharp, backward-pointingserrations;juveniles aregreyish-brownwithwhitefreckling. •plungedivesintoshoalsoffishes. •breedsoctobertoNovember. Shearwaters FamilyProcellariidae Short-tailed shearwater 40-45 cm Wedge-tailed shearwater 40-45 cm Flesh-footed shearwater 40-45 cm 6 Shearwaters,alsoknownas‘muttonbirds’,areoften foundoncoastalbeachesfollowingtheirlongmigration inoctober-Novemberorpriortomigration(usually fledglings)inmay-june.threetypesofshearwatersmay befoundontheNSWcoast. ShORT-TaIlEDShEaRWaTER •Smoky-brownwithpalerthroat;beakslenderand shorterthan3.5cm;somemayhavewhiteunderwing; tailshortandrounded;greyfeetextendbeyondthetail. WEDgE-TaIlEDShEaRWaTER •Smoky-brown;beakusuallydarkgreybutcanbepale withablacktip;wedge-shapedtailthatlookspointedin flight;flesh-colouredfeetdonotextendbeyondthetail. FlESh-FOOTEDShEaRWaTER •darkerbrownwithbrownunderwing;large,fleshcolouredbeakwithdarktip;palepinklegsandfeetthat donotextendbeyondthetail. First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1.1 NSWCOaSTalbIRDS Migratory species – shorebirds Bar-tailed godwit (37-45 cm) Eastern curlew (60-66 cm) FamilyScolopacidae FamilyScolopacidae thebar-tailedgodwitmigratesfrom breedinggroundsinnorth-easternSiberia andspreadsacrosstheNSWcoastline oversummer.thereturnmigration beginsapril/mayandbirdsmayassume breedingplumageatthistime. theeasterncurlewalsobreedsinSiberia andisfoundalongtheNSWcoast asanon-breedingmigrantbetween September-april/may.usuallyseen aloneorinsmallnumbers.Notethelong, curvedbeak. Pacific golden plover (23-26 cm) Red-necked stint (13-16 cm) FamilyCharadriidae FamilyScolopacidae thepacificgoldenploverbreedsfrom northasiatowestalaska.itisfoundin NSWbetweenaugust-april.oftenseen inlargeflocks,innon-breedingwhiteand buffmottledplumage.Somemayshow darkerbreedingplumage. thered-neckedstintbreedsinnortheasternSiberia/alaska.Notnormallyseen withredneckplumagewhileinaustralia. oftenfliesintightly-packedwheeling flocks,incompanywithotherwaders. Notethehindtoe. 7 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 common ent 2.1 yOURSaFETy L 2.2 RECORDkEEpINg A Remembertoincludeprotectiveclothing, gloves,hatandeyeprotectioninyourrescuekit. 8 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 1. time,date,locationofbird,injury,andthenameandphonenumberoftheperson reportingtheinjuredbird. 2. capturetechniqueused,difficultiesfaced. 3. tideandweatherconditionsatthetimeofcapture. 4. gender,age(adult/juvenile),conditionofbird,weightandbeaklength. 5. treatmentadministered. 6. foodintakeandmedicalrequirementsduringcare. 8. generalobservationsmaderegardingbehaviourandresponses. 9. dateofdeath,euthanasiaorreleaseandanytagnumbers. Youwillfindthatkeepingadailydiaryspecificallyforyourgeneralobservationsis extremelyvaluable.itisimportantnottoloseanyofthehard-wonknowledgeyou gaininyourexperiences.Youmayuncoversomeinterestingpatternsovertime. carefullyrecordingyouractivitiesmayprovetobeofimmensebenefittoyouand yourrescuegroup,andalsototheconservationofspecies.compilingknowledge aboutcommonspeciescanalsobeveryhelpfulinsavingcloselyrelatedspeciesthat areendangeredorvulnerable. 2.3COMMONENTaNglEMENTS aNDINjURIES(4) Injuries H 9 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 easierremovalofthehookbutsometimes makesitdifficulttoascertaintheactual directionorpointofthehook.oncethehook isremoved,thismattershouldbeexpelledand theremaining‘sinus’flushedwithantiseptic. Entanglements E anospreyentangledinfishingline.photo:Sergio jacomy. 10 apelicanhookedbyaganghook.photo:aSR. First Responders Resource Guide 2014 providersdonatetimeandequipment(cherry-pickers)toassistinclearingfishingline andotherdebrisfromhighly-perchedseabirdnests.thiscooperativearrangement preventsentanglementsandinjuriestovulnerablespeciessuchastheosprey. 2.4 paTROlS/ClUESTOENTaNglEMENTaNDINjURy I Onpatrol.photos:garryFenton,aSR. 11 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 L Thispelicanisanexampleofahighcapture priority.photo:aSR. 12 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 2.5CapTUREpRIORITIES T 2.6ThERESCUEkIT A awellstockedrescuekit.photo:aSR. 13 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 ‘ I ‘ 2.7 haNDlINg(5) B Handling techniques for different species Six handling guidelines • Immobilise the dangerous parts of the bird (beak, feet) with a firm hold. The rest of the birds body should be restrained gently. Birds do not possess a diaphragm and rely on movement of the keel bone to facilitate breathing. This means they can be suffocated by being held too tightly. If the bird struggles it is important to avoid holding the bird more firmly. • For safety reasons birds should be held at waist-height not near the handler’s face. • When handling birds with long legs the handler should hold the legs of the bird at the top of the femur where the legs and the body meet. • Protect your eyes and other body parts from birds with sharp beaks and claws. • Birds should not be held around the neck as breathing can be restricted and muscles damaged. • Towels can be used to wrap around the bird’s body and wings to aid restraint. 14 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 P P Shearwaters Shearwatershaverelativelylongslenderbeakswithexternalnostrilspositionednear thebaseofthebeak.theshort-tailedshearwateriscommonlyfoundbeach-washed. thebeakcanbeheldclosedwiththehandpositionedwiththefirstfingerontop andthethumbunderneath.alternatively,theheadcanbeheldfrombehindorina shorebirdholdwiththeheadbetweenthefingersandbodyrestinginthepalmofthe hand.thewingsshouldbeheldagainstthebird’sbodyandwrappedinatowel. P P G G Correcthandlingofapelican.photo:aSR. 15 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 initiallyandgrasptheheadand baseofthebeakthroughthe towelwithonehand,withthe fingersunderthemandibleand thethumbontopofthehead. alternatively,graspthehead frombehindthebackofthe skullwiththethumband forefingersrestingbehind theeyes.itmaybenecessary tograspthebeakinitially togetyourhandsinthe correctposition. Correctphysicalrestraintofaseabird,withthehead pointinginasafedirectionandthebeakNOTheld closed.Diagram:Walraven(2004). gannetshavestrongfeetandclaws andthesemaybeheldupagainstthe bird’sbodywiththeotherhand.thebirdshouldbeheldagainstthehandler’sbody andunderthearmwithoutanypressureonthebody.thesebirdshavequickreflexes andwilloftenbitethehandlerassoonasthegraspisreleased. Cormorants C G G Correcthandlingofaseagullwithline,hookandlure trailing.photo:aSR. 16 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 orupagainstthebird’sbody.handlingtechniquesforotherseabirdspeciescanbe foundinhall(2000a)(seesection4.1onpage41). 2.8 CapTUREMEThODS C Tips and tricks to increase capture success(4) don’tdespairifyourcaptureattemptisunsuccessfulthefirsttime.patienceis thekey.obtainasmuchfishscrap(frames)asyoucanfromyourlocalfishco-op orseafoodretailerorcollectitfromanglersfilletingfishatcleaningtablestolure yourtargetseabird.largerspeciesoffishsuchasbreamandflatheadaresuitable. Non-targetbirdscancarryoffsmallerfishtooquickly.avoidusingflakeandother sharkmeatasalure,yearsof experiencesuggeststhatmany seabirdswillavoidit.don’twaste yourfish.thereisnothingmore frustratingthanfinallyluring yourtargetbirdintopositionfor captureandthenrunningout offish. ifyourtargetbirdisroostingsome distanceaway,trytoattractsilver gullswithsmallpiecesoffishand offal.thefeedingactivityofthe gullswillsoonattractotherbirds. Usingfishframestolurelocalbirds.photo:aSR. 17 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 P adoptanon-predatoryposture,allowthe animaltocometoyou.Takenotesandappear disinterested.photo:Surflandphotography. capture.thisispredatorybehaviourthatbirdsarefinelytunedto.Wearclothing thatisreasonablytightfitting–somethingassimpleasyouropenjacketcatching onthewindmayspookbirdsandruinyourcaptureattempt.adoptingpredatory behaviourlikecreeping,sneakingoractinglikeapredatorwillscarebirdsoff.move slowlywithfluid-likemovements–anysuddenchangeinyourstaturefrom,for example,squattingpositiontostanding,willalsocausealarm.ifthereareonlookers, politelyexplainwhatyouaredoingandreassurethemabouttheprocess.captures canbedramaticandunnervingforthepublic.onlookerscanalsobenoisyandtheir movementscandisturbyourattempt. awaterpistolorspraybottlewithblueorgreenfoodcolouringinthewaterishelpful inmarkingtargetseabirds,especiallyifyouarealone.Sprayingthebirdwithdyed waterwillenableyoutofinditeasilyinaflock.avoidmarkingtheheadorneckasthis cancauseabirdtobeostracisedfromitssocialgroup.instead,aimforthechestor wings.thedyewilllastforacoupleofdays. ‘ overthepasttwodecadesthefollowingcapturemethodshavebeensuccessfully developedanddeployedtocapturethespeciesinthismanual. 18 In almost every case where I have landed on a pelican in the water, it has had sufficient time to turn away and raise its wings ready for flight. lanceFerris(1956-2007) ‘ First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Beak grab A above:beakgrab technique:notetheleft handontheupperbeak towardsthehead.Inset: Fingersaregentlyhooked insidethepouch.Right: Reacharoundthebody ofthebirdandsecurethe wings.photos:aSR. Toss’n’run I 19 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 theflockonebyone,highintotheair,severaltimes.You’llnoticethateachtimeyou dothistheflockwillalllookupwardstothefish.attherightmoment,whenthebirds arelookingup,distractedbythefish,you’regoingtoruninandgrabyourtargetbird. asthepelicanslookup,setyourfeet.remembertoavoidlookingthebirdintheeye andactlikeafisher!thisisagreattimetohaveahelperwhocanquietlytellyouifthe birdismovingaroundintheflockwithoutyouhavingtodirectlylookatit.asyourun, bepreparedtopullupquickly.reachforthe‘shoulders’ofthebirdandsecurethe wingsasquicklyaspossible,ahelpercouldruninandassist.onceyouhavethebird inhand,holdstillforafewmomentswhiletheotherbirdssettlethenmovetoaquiet, shadylocationtomakeanassessmentofyourtargetbird. Noose (foot snare) T Settingupanooseonthebeach. photos:aSR. 20 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 NET b Steele’snetdesignandoperation.above:anartist’simpressionofthenetpulledupintothevertical position.Notethepositionofthepegs.bottomleft:Thehingedpole.Twopegseithersideoftheplate securethishingetothesand.photos:aSR. conduitorsimilar–availablefromanyhardwarestore;12mof80lbfishingline;anda 2mmbrassring(availablefromtackleshops,usuallyinpacketsof10). The Steele’s net T 21 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 DesignandOperation two25mmpvcpoles,each2.5mlong,areplacedontheground,about4mapart, paralleltoeachother.eachpoleishingedontoaplate,whichispeggedtotheground. alightweightnetofabout4cm2-meshisattachedtotherope(orsmallernetifyour targetsaresmallerbirds).thisisattachedtothetopofthepolesandpeggedto thegroundatthesidesandrear.thepoleswithnetattachedarethenlaidflaton theground.a‘trigger’ropeisattachedtothetopofeachpole,leadingbacktothe rescuer.theseropescanbe25mormoreinlength.oneoperatorcanpullbothropes fromasinglepoint.onbeaches,thenet,poles,andropecanbecoveredwithalight layerofdrysand,soastobeinconspicuoustoseabirds. The leap T asuccessfulleapcapture.photo:Surflandphotography. 22 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 topromotesomecompetition.thisactivitywilldrawyourtargetbirdclose.trynot tofeeditfirst.itmaybesatisfiedwiththatamountandnotreturn.Whenapelican takesafishitusuallyretreatstotherearofthegroupandmaynotreturnuntilithas completelyswallowedthecatch. keepinmindthatpelicanscanmoveveryquicklyandyourleapwillrequireathrust ofabouthalfametrebeyondwhereyouwouldexpectthebirdtobe.Whenyoufeel thetargetbirdisinreach,tossafish.thebriefmomentthatthebirdisfocusedon thefishisyourchancetoleap. trytokeepyoureyesopenatalltimes,thusensuringagoodcatchandavoidinginjury tothebirdoryourself.reachfortheshouldersofthebirdandmakeeveryeffortto keepyourcentreofweightawayfromitasyouenterthewater. Whenyouhaveafirmhold,gentlyrestrainthebeakwithonehand,andcontrolthe wings.besuretokeepthebeakabovethewaterline.hundredsofpelicanshavebeen capturedusingthistechniquewithnoinjurybeingcaused. insomecasesabirdmaybeparticularlyshy.ifyoumakealeapattemptandmiss,it isunlikelythatyouwillgetanotheropportunitytocapturethatbirdoranyotherbird thathaswitnessedtheattemptatthat locationonthesameday.theentiregroup mayspookandnotreturntothatsitefor severalhours.Youmayhavesomesuccess bymovingtoanotherlocationifthecase isextremelyurgentbutrestassured theywillrecogniseyou.Wearadifferent shirtandhatinordertochangeyour appearanceifattemptinganotherleapon thesameday. D-net T D-netdesignandoperation.photos:aSR. 23 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Securethenettoatreeorstationaryobjectwithatetheredline.theadvantage ofthiscapturemethodisthatthetetheredlinecanbeofconsiderablelengthand thusdistancestherescuerfromthetargetbird.placeappropriatefoodunderthe nettolureinthebird.Whenthebirdentersthecaptureareatofeedthenetcanbe manuallyloweredontothebirdbyreleasingthetetheredline. thefollowinginstructionsareforad-netthatisapproximately2mwideand suitableformostspeciesinNSW.thegaugeofthemeshhasproventobethe leastsusceptibletofeatherentanglement.Youwillneedtwo4mlengthsof20mm electricalconduit(eachlengthhasaflairatoneend,whichcanbeusedasajoiner); oneconduitstraightjoiner,andtworight-anglecornerjoiners;about3m2ofblack netwithmesh-size~3cm2;50mofnylonsashcord. Construction • cuttheconduittolength,fixthejoinersandmakethedshapeasindicated.only glueonesideofthejoiners,sothatthed-netcanbecollapsedfortransport. • laythedontothenet,andcutoutthenetslightlylargerthanthed. • openthejoiners,andthreadthenettingontothed. • usegaffertapenearthejoinerstostopthenettingslidingaroundtheconduit. • attachthesashcordtothenetting. Boat / Land pursuit R I boatpursuitbeingusedtocaptureaninjured bird.photo:aSR. 24 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 L 2.9 FIRSTaIDINThEFIElDFORCOMMONINjURIES B Fish-hooks R Fishing line entanglement R Removinglineinthefield.photo:aSR. 25 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 awingorlegisaffectedbylackof circulation.anaffectedlimbwill likelyfeelcold,appeardiscoloured andmayhavelimitedmobility. thesecaseswillalsorequirelongtermspecialistcare. Pouch problems in pelicans thegularpouchshouldfeelsoft anddrytothetouch.thepouch islinedwithhundredsofblood vesselsandisverysensitive.if thereisaholetorninthepouch thatislargerthana50-centcoin, itwillrequireveterinarycare.if thewoundisrecent,theremay havebeenconsiderablelossof aholethissizeinthepouchwouldrequireveterinary blood.ifthereisdarkskin,similar treatmentandstitching.photo:aSR. tobruising,inoraroundthe wound-site,thebirdwillalsorequirelong-termspecialistcare.dehydrationcanbe indicatedbyadry,flakeyand/orwrinklygularpouchandcouldbeasymptomofa primarydiseaseorcondition,whichwouldneedtobeinvestigatedbyavet. Paralysis Seabirdssittinganddoingnothingalldayisnotnormalbehaviour.mostreportsof whatturnsouttobeparalysiscitebrokenwingsorlegsastheinjurybecausethebird isunabletomovenormally.inthesecasesaspeedyresponseiscriticaltohaltthe fastactingneurotoxinthatmaybeparalysingthebird.manyconditionsanddiseases maycausedebilitatingparalysisinallspeciesofseabirds.theseincludepneumonia, botulism,aspergillosisorahostofotherbacteriathatcanbefatalinaveryshort spaceoftime.keepthebirdwarmandseekveterinaryassistance. Broken bones B 26 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 2.10 TRaNSpORT(5) T Temperature A Ventilation E Noise A Transport boxes T 27 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 bewrappedinablanketandcovered iftheyaretooilltostand.large sportsbagswithzippersorspecially designedcarrymatscanbeusedto restrainthebodyandwingsofthe birdleavingtheheadandneckout ofthebag.ifthisisthetransport methodthebirdwillbeexposedto visualstressduringtransportanditis advisablethattheheadbecovered. onepersonshouldsitwiththebird topreventitdamagingitselfby throwingitsheadaround.itismore thanlikelythatbirdswillregurgitate duringtransportsotowelsshould beavailable(4).bewatchfulofan upwardtiltofthehead,aloweringof thebeak,andnecklengtheningand shaking(4).thisindicatesanimmanent attempttoregurgitate. Ensuretransportcagesareappropriatetothesizeof thebird.Notethewirewindowsandfrontdoorofthe cagearecoveredwithshadeclothtopreventfeatheror beakdamagetothebirdduringtransport.photo:aSR. Transport box floor covering ifthesurfaceisabrasiveorifthebird isunabletogripandisslidingaround, thefloorcoveringisinappropriate. itisrecommendedthatrubbermattingbeusedasabasewithfoldedtowelsplaced ontopoftherubber.itisimportanttoprovideasurfacethatissoftonthebird’sfeet butalsoprovidessomethingforthemtogripwiththeirtoesandnails.hessiansacking andtowelswithfrayededgesarenotsuitableasthebird’stoescangetcaughtinthe weaveandloosematerialmaybecomecaughtaroundalegorotherpartsofthebird. Newspaperisnotrecommendedbecauseitbecomesslipperywithfaecesandcanalso harbourfungus. itisessentialthatthebird’sfeatherconditionandwaterproofingareprotected duringtransport.Seabirdsmaybesuccessfullytreatedfordehydration,infections, exhaustion,fractures,oilingetcbutiftheirfeathersaredamagedduringtransport theymayrequireeuthanasia.removingthedamagedfeathersandwaitingfornew featherstogrowisnotanoptionduetotheriskofsecondarycomplications(and paintothebird).Seabirdspecieshavemanydifferentmoultcycleswithsomesuch asgannetsmoultingthreeorfourprimarieseachyearandsuspendingmoultwhen breedingcommences(5). 28 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 2.11 RElEaSINgbIRDS(6) Physical and behavioural health of birds • exceptinsimplecasesofdetanglement(wherethebirdistreatedin situandnot takenintocare)birdsshouldbeseenbyapractisingveterinarianpriortoreleaseto ensurethattheyhavenoclinicalillnessorinjuries,andhavefullyrecovered.blood testsandparasitescreeningshouldbecarriedouttoensurethatthebirddoesnot poseadiseaserisktothewildpopulation. • anexperiencedwildliferehabilitatorshouldobservethebirdandthoroughlytest forfitness,conditionandbehaviouralsuitabilityforrelease. • birdsshouldrecognisetheirnaturalfoodsourcepriortorelease.thismaybe difficulttoassessinsomepelagicbirdsbut,generally,seabirdsmustbefeedingon theirnaturaldietbeforerelease. • thebird’sweightandbodyconditionshouldbecheckedandrecordedpriorto release.Weightmustbeinthenormalrangeforthatspecies(seebelow). • thebirdmustbewaterproofandallfeathersbeingoodcondition.body temperatureof38-41ºcshouldbemaintainedafterseveralhoursinthewater. penguinsshouldnotbereleasedduringthemoult. • ifappropriate,thebirdshouldhavehadexperiencewithothersofitsownspecies, andbebehavingnormally. • thebirdshouldhaveaknowledgeofpredators(whenappropriate)andobjectto humanhandling. • Salttolerancemustberestablishedpriortoreleaseandnasalglandsecretions visibleforpelagicbirds. • thebirdshouldreceivesomeformofidentificationpriortoreleasetoenablepostreleasemonitoring. Release weights for seabirds(7) Residentseabirds piedcormorant:1650-2000g littleblackcormorant:800g littlepiedcormorant:690-800g greatblackcormorant:2500g crestedtern:335g commontern:95g littletern:55g fairytern:55g Silvergull:280g kelpgull:890g pelicans:3390-7350g penguins:950g Migratoryseabirds australasiangannet:2285g Short-tailedshearwater:500g Wedge-tailedshearwater:385g flesh-footedshearwater:660g bar-tailedgodwit:190-400g easterncurlew:700-900g pacificgoldenplover120-175g red-neckedstint25g formigratoryspecies,release weightdependsontheir migratorypatternsoseek expertadvicetoconfirm releaseweights.Somemigratory seabirdsboosttheirbodyweight by40-70%beforemigration. 29 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Release site or location U 30 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 m 3.1 INTRODUCTION I 31 the wildlife response. First Responders Resource Guide 2014 The Wildlife Coordinator will oversee the operations of the Wildlife Unit which will be comprised teams responsible for the rescue, transport, triage/first aid, cleaning/drying, rehabilitation and e release of affected wildlife. The Wildlife Coordinator will also oversee the establishment of wildl treatment facilities at a site or sites determined by the incident’s needs and available locations. Oilor or chemical chemical spill notification flow chart: Oil spill notification flow chart(8) Responsible combat agency appoints an Incident Controller Incident Controller notifies relevant Functional Areas who will contact support agencies In the case of a spill affecting wildlife, the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Coordinator may appoint a Wildlife Coordinator from OEH to coordinate a wildlife response Wildlife Unit established within Operations Unit of Oil Spill Response Incident Control System structure (OSRICS) Emergencyseabirdresponsenotificationflowchart.DpI. Figure 1 (below) shows the structure of the Wildlife Unit which is part of the Operations Section broader OSRICS structure. Procedures Wildlife Response - Set Up and Use of Wildlife Treatment Facilities Wildlife Response - Pre-emptive Action Wildlife Response - Search and Rescue POLICY TI-O-114 P 32 Figure 1: Wildlife Unit Structure within OSRICS Planning Section Planning Officer Situations Officer Operations Section Operations Officer Wildlife Unit Wildlife Coordinator Logistics Section Logistics Officer Wildlife Unit Logistics Support Rehabilitation Division Rescue Division Rehabilitation Commander Rescue Division Commander Rescue Sector Rescue Sector Commander Transport Sector Commander Transport Crews Triage/First Aid Sector Triage/First Aid Sector Commander Triage/First Aid Crews Cleaning/Drying Sector Cleaning/Drying Sector Commander Cleaning/Drying Crews atypicalWildlifeUnitstructure.Diagram:DpI. OLICY TI-O-114 PAGE 4 OF 4 Rehabilitation Sector Rehabilitation Sector Commander Rehabilitation Crews 33 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Rescue Crews Transport Sector First Responders Resource Guide 2014 3.2 pREpaRINgFORaNEMERgENCyRESpONSE The roles of supporting agencies T Training and resources T Washingoiledfeathersinawildliferesponseunitfollowingamajorspill.photo:USFishand WildlifeService. 34 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Multiplefunctionalareasundertakingadrillexerciseatyambaport2009.photo:aSR. currenttrainingandmethods,andprovidestheopportunitytonetworkwithother communitygroups.theNSWgovernmentconductsregularregionaldrillexerciseson atri-annualbasis.theseincludetheparticipationofsupportingagenciesinamock oilspillthattriggerstheemplaNandarequirementforemergencyseabirdresponse. checkwithyourgroup’smanagementcommitteetoseeifthereisaregulardrill exerciseontheircalendarofeventsandfindouthowyoucanparticipate.intheevent youoryourgrouparecalledontoparticipateinanemergencyresponse,on-site trainingwillbeprovidedthatisspecifictotheparticularemergency. oiledWildliferesponsekits,providedbyamSaandmaintainedbyeachoftheStates undertheNationalplanarrangements,arelocatedineachstate.thekitscanquickly bedeployedtoaspillsiteandcontainalloftherequiredequipmentfortheinitial treatmentofupto100birds.atthetimeofwriting,theNSWkitsareheldattwo sites;theveterinaryequipmentbeinglocatedattarongaZooandtheoperational equipmentatSydneyportauthority(withinamobilewildlifewashingunitwhichis housedinaconvertedshippingcontainer). thewashingunitisfullyequippedwithwaterheaters,awatersoftener,a pressurizationpump,ventilationplantandelectricaldistributionboard;plusalarge workingareawithwateroutlets,ductedairextraction,lightingandfloordrainage. thecontainercanrunuptothreecleaningstationsandhassufficientwatercapacity torunfourmorewashstationsinanadjacentfacility.thecontainercanbedeployed atshortnoticetoasitethathasaccesstowaterandpower.theaaSfacoordinator (aaSfac)willrequestthedeploymentoftheamSaoiledWildliferesponsekitupon notificationofanincidentinvolvingaffectedanimals.theveterinarycomponentofthe kit,whichisheldandmaintainedbytarongaZoo,shouldbedeployedatthesametime. Seesection4.3onpage42foralinktomoredetailedinformationonthekits. 35 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 Determining your fitness to respond T Respondingtoaspillcanbeaphysicallyandmentallychallengingexperience.photo:USFishand WildlifeService. 3.3 paRTICIpaTINgINaNEMERgENCyRESpONSE Rescue and rehabilitation of oiled birds I 36 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 factors.Notallaffectedwildlifewillnecessarilybecaptured.thedecisionto capturewillbemadebyrescuecrewsbasedonarangeofconsiderations,withsafety beingparamount. Wildliferescueandrehabilitationgroupsinvolvedinanemergencyeventcanaccess theplans,policies,procedures,forms,roledescriptionsandsafeworkmethod statementsforpre-emptiveaction,set-upanduseofbirdtreatmentfacilities,search andrescue,triageandfirstaidonlineattheNSWdpiwebsitelistedinsection4.3on page42.it’sagoodideatobecomefamiliarwiththesedocumentswellbeforean incidentoccurs.rescueandrehabilitationofoiledbirdsissubstantiallydifferentfrom dealingwithentanglementsorinjuries.Youwillfindalistofpublishedresourcesin section4.2onpage41. 3.4 RECOvERINgFROMaNEMERgENCyRESpONSE Documentation E Debriefing T Debriefingisimportanttoassessthe challengesandsuccessesofanemergency seabirdresponse.photo:aSR. 37 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 3.5 MajOROIlSpIllCaSESTUDIES(9) WorldEncouragement Botany Bay 1979 A Ironbaron Hebe Reef Tasmania 1995 T 38 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 T L O TheIron Baron.photo:shipspotting.com 39 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 T 40 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 REFERENCESaNDOThERRESOURCES 4.1 REFERENCES 1.byronbirdbuddies(2013).Wild about birdseducationkit. 2.lindseytr(1986).Seabirds of Australia.angus&robertson,Sydney. 3.Walravene(2004).The rescue and rehabilitation of oiled birds.Zoologicalparks boardofNewSouthWales. 4.ferrisli,bonnermandkosacke(2004).Rescuing the Australian Pelican.australian Seabirdrescueincorporated,ballina. 5.halle(2000a).transport,handlingandhusbandryofseabirds.Marine Wildlife.the fabianfaycourseforveterinarians,proceedings335,W.p.howey(ed).postgraduate foundation,veterinaryScience,universityofSydney,pp319-333. 6.halle(2000b).rehabilitationandreleaseofseabirds.Marine Wildlife.thefabian faycourseforveterinarians,proceedings335,W.p.howey(ed).postgraduate foundation,veterinaryScience,universityofSydney,pp335-367. 7.vogelnestl(2000).veterinarymanagementofseabirds.Marine Wildlife.the fabianfaycourseforveterinarians,proceedings335,p199-235.universityofSydney. 8.NSWdpi(2012).oilandchemicalspillwildliferesponse:notificationandcommand structure.biosecurityoperations,biosecurityNSW. 9.amSa(Nd).majorhistoricalincidents.https://www.amsa.gov.au/environment/ major-historical-incidents/ •halle(2008).rescueandintensivecareofseabirds.australianWildlife rehabilitationconference,canberra. 4.2 pUblIShEDRESEaRChaNDOThERRESOURCES •alonso-alvarezc,perezc,velandoa(2007).effectsofacuteexposuretoheavyfuel oilfromthePrestigespillonaseabird.Aquatic Toxicology(amsterdam)84:1pp103110.doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.06.004. •alonso-alvarezc,munillai,lopez-alonsom,velandoa(2007).Sublethaltoxicity ofthePrestigeoilspillonyellow-leggedgulls.Environment International33:6pp773781.doi:10.1016/j.envint.2007.02.012. •keescj,camphuysen(2011).Seabirdsandchronicoilpollution:Self-cleaning propertiesofgulls,Laridae,asrevealedfromcolour-ringsightings.Marine Pollution Bulletin62:3pp514-519. •mearnsaj,reishdj,oshidapS,ginnt,rempel-hesterm(2011).effectsofpollution onmarineorganisms.Water Environment Research83:10pp1789-1852. 41 First Responders Resource Guide 2014 •vogelnestl(2000).theeffectsofoilonmarinewildlife.Marine Wildlife.thefabian faycourseforveterinarians,proceedings335,p149-163.universityofSydney. •vogelnestl(2000).triageandtreatmentofoiledbirds.Marine Wildlife.thefabian faycourseforveterinarians,proceedings335,p167-196.universityofSydney. •votierSc,birkheadtr,orod,trinderm,granthammj,clarkja,mccleeryrh, hatchwellbj(2008).recruitmentandsurvivalofimmatureseabirdsinrelationto oilspillsandclimatevariability.Journal of Animal Ecology 77:5pp974-983.doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01421.x. 4.3 INTERNETRESOURCES NSWcoastalbirds byronbirdbuddies:http://www.byronbirdbuddies.com.au birdsinbackyards:http://www.birdsinbackyards.net Entanglementsandinjuries Rescue and Intensive Care of Seabirds:http://www.awrc.org.au/uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/seabirdrescueintensivecare_-_libby_hall.pdf Capturing Pelicans and other birds that can be lured:http://www.fourthcrossingwildlife.com/capturingpelicans&otherbirds-lanceferris.pdf Marineoilandchemicalspill AMSA theNationalplan,oiledbirdresponsekits,rolesforvolunteers,andcasestudies: https://www.amsa.gov.au/ NSW Ministry for Police and Emergency Services emplaN,thecontingencyplanandtheSupportingplan: http://www.mpes.nsw.gov.au NSW DPI policiesandproceduresforoilspillemergencies: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/emergency/oil-spills/policies. marineincidentresponseforWildlife(fromtheNSWworkshopseries2011): www.seabirdrescue.org/emergency-management. forgeneralinformationoneffectsofoilonwildlife,impactstoseabirdsincluding feathersandskin,internalorgans,reproductionandpopulations: www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/owcn 42 P