Herons and egrets are protected species under both the federal Migratory Bird Act and California state fish & wildlife codes. Yet in Sacramento, these special birds are dying at an alarming rate at an apartment complex where they've chosen to set up a rookery.
The problem:
Earlier this year, one baby heron was found with a stick jabbed through his neck, and since then others have been found mutilated. in at least one instance, a person was caught siccing her dog on a terrifed young bird.
However, the greatest number of deaths by far comes when baby herons and egrets fall from their nests onto the scorching hot concrete below. (Temps in Sacramento average 100 F in the summer.) Those who survive the impact can be kiled by passersby -- including feral cats, raccoons, and possibly ill-intentioned individuals.
The solution:
A team of dedicated volunteers led by Stephanie Valdez has been trekking out to the apartment complex daily, where they find, on average, 5 to 15 dying birds a day and rush them to Wildlife Care Assocation for rehab. Stephanie and her crew have saved hundreds of these precious lives since the start of spring.
Unfortunately, in the past month, lead rescuer Stephanie has been hit hard by vet bills for her own companion animals. This means she literally has no money in the bank to fill her gas tank. Without her, the baby birds will die.
How you can help:
- Can you donate $5, $10, or $20 to save the baby herons? Just $20 -- the cost of one round-trip to the rookery and back -- will literally save 5 lives! (Five is average number of babies saved per trip.) $250 will cover Stephanie's gas for the whole month!
- Can you donate a gas card to Stephanie?
- Short on cash? You can voluteer to be a bird-saver! Contact the folks at the Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue Network to get on the schedule.
- Spread the word! The babies need more rescuers to check on them daily through the end of summer; they need YOU!
More questions? Contact Sacramento Heron & Egret Network.
