[SEMCO] IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rare Tropical Seabird At Wild Care - In Wake of Hurricane Jose

[Stephanie Ellis]

[image: Inline image 2][image: Inline image 1]


CONTACT: Stephanie Ellis, Executive Director, cell 650-319-5491

PHOTOS ATTACHED


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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RARE SEABIRD BROUGHT TO WILD CARE

IN WAKE OF HURRICANE JOSE



*Eastham, MA. September 26, 2017.  *Hurricane Jose has left dozens of
battered seabirds in its wake on Cape Cod.  including a rare tropical
seabird, a Masked Booby that was rescued by Wild Care, Inc., a wildlife
rehabilitation hospital located in Eastham.



“We received a call today about an injured bird at LeCount’s Hollow in
Wellfleet. We arranged for volunteer Claudia Rothman to go out and rescue
the bird, which was identified as a “gannet” over the phone. Much to our
surprise, the bird was not a gannet, but instead was a species of booby (a
tropical relative of the Northern Gannet), states Stephanie Ellis, Wild
Care’s Executive Director. “We immediately examined the bird to assess its
condition. The bird is very thin, weak and is experiencing respiratory
discomfort likely due to a fungal infection. The bird’s condition is grave,
but we are providing supportive care and keeping it comfortable at this
time.”



Stephanie immediately contacted Mark Faherty, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary’s Science Coordinator to alert him of this special
patient. Mark confirmed the bird’s identification as a “Masked Booby”, and
stated there has been “a single Massachusetts record, from a boat at the
continental shelf, 100 miles south of Nantucket in 2015.”



So, what is it exactly that makes this bird so special? This species is a
rare visitor to our shorelines. The Masked Booby breeds throughout the
world’s tropical oceans and islands and is most commonly sighted along the
Gulf of Mexico, with breeding attempts on the Dry Tortugas, Fl. and the
Hawaiian Islands. It is otherwise not commonly seen in North America. (For
species-related info, please contact Mark Faherty, Mass Audubon Wellfleet
Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Science Coordinator. Cell 774-288-9465.)



The booby is not the only bird washed up from Hurricane Jose. Wild Care
currently has several shearwaters, gannets, and a cormorant in their care.
Donations to help with rescue and care are needed and welcomed.

https://www.wildcarecapecod.org/donate-today/



Due to the critical condition of this bird, and the unknown outcome, Wild
Care kindly requests that the public refrain from visiting and calling for
updates. “Wild Care is not open to the public, and stabilization of this
bird is critical at this time,” states Ellis.  “Please refer to our
Facebook page for regular updates at: “WildCareCapeCod”.  It is our hope
that beachgoers will be on the lookout for other injured or stranded
seabirds. If you find a bird in distress, please call our Wildlife Helpline
at 508-240-2255.”



*ABOUT*

WILD CARE’s wildlife rehabilitators treat birds, mammals and reptiles
brought to the center, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild
when they are capable of independent survival. Through public education,
WILD CARE works to prevent wildlife casualties and works to engage the
community in conservation through volunteerism. Since our founding WILD
CARE has accepted over 25,000 wild creatures, representing over 275 species
of native birds, mammals and reptiles. If you encounter injured, orphaned
or ill wildlife please call the WILD CARE of Cape Cod helpline at
508-240-2255. Visit WILD CARE’s website at www.wildcarecapecod.org to make
a donation.




###

Stephanie Ellis
Executive Director
Wild Care, Inc.
10 Smith Lane
Eastham, MA 02642
www.wildcarecapecod.org

Find us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WildCareCapeCod>!
508-240-2255 office
<http://www.wildcarecapecod.org/>
   <http://bit.ly/wildcaresubscription>
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