 |
These
mallard ducklings were found
standing in the street next
to their mother, who had been
hit by a car and killed. (IBRRC
photo) |
Last
year the bird center staff helped
raise and release 1,400 orphaned
ducklings – 1,200 in Fairfield
and 200 ducklings in San Pedro.
This year it looks to another banner
year. With your help we can offset
the tremenedous expense that comes
from taking care of these wonderful
birds.
Why do we get so many?
Over the last 150 years the valleys
of California have lost over 80%
of their original wetlands to filling
and urban sprawl. Waterfowl are
adaptable to certain human actions
but require water to survive and
raise their young. In urban settings
they often mistake landscaped yards
and swimming pools as wetlands.
Every year increasing numbers of
waterfowl find themselves in the
hands and yards of humans. Mother
ducks leading their babies to water
are often hit by cars or attacked
by dogs. Others lead their ducklings
to swimming pools, where their babies
become trapped and then rescued
by humans. The frightened mothers
fly away. Herons and egrets fall
out of nests and land on lawns and
in gardens.
Because of our expertise
and facilities, IBRRC receives orphans
from wildlife centers in surrounding
counties. In 2004, we raised and
released over 1,500 aquatic birds.
It’s a lot of mouths to feed!
Our adoption program
helps you be a part of this. Please
consider adopting one or more of
our orphans this year and help pay
for their care. Many pelicans were
adopted as gifts for birthdays,
weddings, births of babies, and
in memory of beloved people and
pets. With Mother’s Day and
Father’s Day coming up, an
orphan duckling, heron, egret or
pelican adoption is a wonderful
way to acknowledge your parents,
or their memory.
For more information
about our adoption program, download
an adopt-a-bird
form (PDF 172 kb). If you need
personal help, or have questions,
please call Ann at (707) 207-0380
extension 109.
Download
an Adoption form 
(PDF 172 kb)
Send a $25 check per
duckling to:
IBRRC
c/o Adopt a Duckling
4369 Cordelia Road
Fairfield, CA 94534
Need more info?
Email Us
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