(January 17, 2005) -- As previously reported by LBReport.com, a massive animal rescue operation is underway as hundreds of seabirds fouled by a mystery oil source have turned up between the area south of Venice Beach and Santa Barbara. They're cleaned and receive urgent medical care at San Pedro's Oiled Bird Care and Education Center in partnership with the CA Dept. of Fish & Game's Office of Oil Spill Prevention & Response. In photo right, an oiled Western Grebe is tube fed at the facility located at 3600 South Gaffey St. in the Fort MacArthur complex.

Source: CA Dept. of Fish & Game

Source: CA Dept. of Fish & Game

Fish and Game's Ed Boyes sets up for field collection of oiled seabirds at Ballona Creek's south jetty at Playa del Rey Beach.

This was the collection point for oiled Western Grebes near Marina Del Rey harbor. CA's Dept. of Fish & Game collected oiled seabirds along the coast from Playa Del Rey through Ventura County...and as far north as Santa Barbara.

Source: CA Dept. of Fish & Game

As previously reported by LBReport.com, the OWCN is seeking volunteers over age 18 to work with wildlife personnel. Interested adults may call 800-228-4544 for more information or to volunteer.

The San Pedro Oiled Bird Care Center is part of CA's Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) run by the Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine. It's operating in partnership with Fish & Game...and maintains 12 facilities along the CA coast.

The CA Dept. of Fish & Game is one of the state's oldest agencies (dating back to 1872) and one of its initial duties dealt with discharges of substances into waterways.

In a written release, the CA Dept. of Fish & Game says DON'T handle or approach oiled or injured wildlife. "Injured animals can be even more dangerous to humans than healthy ones," the agency says.

To our knowledge, there haven't been reports of oiled birds turning up in the LB area, but if you see an animal in distress, report it to 562-342-7222. "Trained wildlife professionals will be dispatched with appropriate equipment to capture and transport the animal without further injury," the state agency says.