Tropicbirds Blown Inland From Tropical Storm Hilary Returned To Sea

SAN DIEGO, CA — Three tropicbirds blown inland by Tropical Storm Hilary were recently returned to the wild after being rehabilitated at SeaWorld San Diego.

The red-billed tropicbirds spend their lives at sea except for when they nest, so it is a rare species to find in San Diego County. In fact, the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team has only treated two other red-billed tropicbirds in more than 20 years, according to Jeni Smith, a supervisor for the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team.

All three birds were found dehydrated and thin within a few days after Tropical Storm Hilary. They were rescued in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Azusa and Valley Center. Two of the tropicbirds were transferred to SeaWorld from the San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife, and the third was transferred from the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach.

"They are such a rare species to this area, so it was an amazing experience to work with them," Smith told Patch.

"They are very unique in their behavior," added Smith, who has served on the SeaWorld Rescue Team for more than 23 years. "They didn't show much fear of humans because they probably don't have much experience with people. Fortunately, our experience with many different species of seabirds helped us to treat them appropriately. They responded well to treatment, and they gained weight quickly."

The birds were released alongside a California sea lion that was rescued by the team Aug. 31 near Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier in La Jolla.

The yearling pup had been treated for domoic acid toxicity at Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach a few months ago and was returned to the ocean, Smith said. After suffering a minor eye injury, the tagged sea lion stranded again in San Diego, where it was picked up by the SeaWorld Rescue Team.

The rehabilitated animals were returned to the ocean Sept. 15, roughly 5 miles off the coast of La Jolla.

"It's always a joyous occasion when these animals go back to their ocean home," Smith said.