All 62 seagulls soiled by tofu waste earlier this month have made a triumphant return into the wild this morning, according to the local association in charge of rehabilitating the birds.
Volunteers for the Wildlife Rescue Association released the seagulls in groups of eight on the shores of New Brighton Park in Vancouver.
“Some of the gulls were a bit reluctant to come out of their kennels, but by the time we were done, we couldn’t even hear or see any more of the gulls,” said Yolanda Brooks, communications manager for the Wildlife Rescue Association.
Now that the birds have been released, the association is asking for the public’s help with the $26,000 cost of washing, feeding and housing the seagulls. Wildlife Rescue said donations are crucial to the group this time of year, as nearly 2,000 injured and struggling baby birds are expected to come through their doors over the next three months.
“We definitely need help from the wider community so that we can recoup our costs and make sure we have all our resources ready for the start of baby bird season, which is one of our busiest times of the year,” stated Coleen Doucette, executive director for Wildlife Rescue, in a press release.
The incoming goslings and ducklings will need special baby bird formula, and the association said it goes through hundreds of towel used to wash and dry the birds.
“The 62 gulls were an expected cost,” said Brooks.
Anyone interested in donating to Wildlife Rescue is encouraged to visit their website at wildliferescue.ca.
