Mystery goo that threatened San Francisco Bay seabirds identified

The Examiner (San Francisco), Laura Dudnick, 2/12/15.  "State officials identify mystery goo that coated hundreds of birds in SF Bay."

This bird matters

Somebody cares

....  "The mystery goo that began impacting wildlife mid-January is believed to be a mixture of non-petroleum-based fats or oils, California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response announced Thursday.  Non-petroleum oils include synthetic oils, such as silicone fluids, tung oils and wood-derivative oils like resin/rosin oils. Animal fats and oil, and edible and inedible seed oils from plants are included in the mixture as well, state officials said.

....  As of Tuesday, 323 birds had been brought to the International Bird Rescue center in Fairfield for care, and more than 100 have been released back into the wild. The fish and wildlife department collected 170 dead birds from the shorelines, primarily in the East Bay, and another 131 birds died at the rescue center."  
 The contaminant ranged in consistency from an oily or gummy substance to a hard varnish.  .... the identity of the substance stumped authorities for several weeks. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the contaminant. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CalTIP at 1-888-334-2258."   Read more. 

Related -   San Francisco Weekly/Sarah Stodder, 1/26/15.  "Mystery goo:  hundreds of birds dead in localized chemical spill." " Over the past 10 days, hundreds of birds have washed ashore in Alameda, Hayward, and San Leandro covered in an unidentified and lethal mystery goo. The sticky, transparent substance exposes the birds to hypothermia and death by blocking the natural insulating oil on their feathers. According to California's Office of Spill Prevention and Response, rescue teams have found at least 200 dead birds. International Bird Rescue (IBR), a non-profit based in Fairfield, has admitted another 322 birds for cleaning. Investigations continue as to the identity and source of the mysterious goo, which has been described as resembling rubber cement." 

Next question:  what about us,
too bad, good luck, good bye?

Related - International Bird Rescue,"every bird matters", 1/17/15. "Mystery substance threatens seabirds in the San Francisco Bay." OAKLAND (Jan. 17, 2015) — Dozens of seabirds have been found on the San Francisco Bay’s eastern shores covered in a viscous, mystery substance that destroys feather waterproofing, which can cause hypothermia and death. .... “We have not seen this type of substance before, though preliminary tests have shown it is not petroleum-based,” said Barbara Callahan, interim executive director of International Bird Rescue who served as bird unit leader during the 2010 BP oil spill. “Our veterinary and rehabilitation staff is working overtime to ensure all birds transported to us receive optimal emergency care.”

Note photographs - rescued Bufflehead sea duck (pale yelow beak) and Surf Scoter sea duck (orange beak) by Cheryl Reynolds/International Bird Rescue, 1 of  5 from the San Francisco Chronicle, 1/17/15.  Smallmouth Bass from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission/Fishing and Boating.

Posted by Kathy Meeh