Australian Seabird Rescue

March 11 Ballina – Marine Wildlife Rescue Workshop

Sunday, March 11 2012, ASR WildlifeLink Sanctuary, 264 North Creek Road, Ballina.

Ever seen a waterbird with fishing line entanglement, around its leg or wing perhaps? Or a turtle that has beached itself or floating listlessly in the shallows?

Because they share the habitat we humans love to go boating and fishing in, pelicans, seagulls and crested terns are just some of the species that suffer fishing line entanglement and accidental hooking. But what if you come across a stranded turtle… or whale?

What to do?  There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless!

You can learn the best way to respond to sick, injured and stranded marine wildlife by coming along to our Marine Wildlife Rescue workshop.  In just one day you can learn about seabirds, pelicans and other waterbirds, sea turtles and marine mammal stranding.

           

Although it’s a good introduction to marine wildlife, this is not just a course for dedicated wildlife rescuers or environmental science students.  For anyone who enjoys the rivers and beaches through surfing, fishing, boating or walking, it’s a fascinating insight to the wildlife with whom we share that magical zone.

Join us at the beautiful ASR/WildlifeLink Centre in Ballina for an inspiring day. Personal tour of the turtle hospital is included and cameras are encouraged.

ASR President and co-founder Marny Bonner, and South Coast Branch founder Julie Clarke, deliver training for the capture, handling and first aid of seabirds, shorebirds and other wildlife found along our coastline.

In 1992, Lance Ferris discovered that over one-third of the local pelican population in the Richmond River at Ballina was hooked, entangled, crippled and suffering infection. Most of them could still fly. The challenge was to figure out how to capture them in order to alleviate their suffering.

In travelling throughout the coast to raise awareness about the plight of the pelicans, conducting workshops and establishing pelican rescue teams throughout Australia, other volunteers have risen to the challenge and added their ideas. The following is a compilation of these methods, which are used extensively and successfully by ASR volunteers.

Capture techniques for birds that can be lured.