Oiled Wildlife Care Network

08/27/2025

REMINDER: Our call for full research project pre-proposals is open!

We look forward to receiving submissions from a wide range of professionals (not limited to just those in the wildlife field) whose innovative work can support the OWCN’s mission. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to the future of oiled wildlife response and care!

Learn more and apply here: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/research/competitive-grants-program

08/25/2025

NEW BLOG POST: "More Than Just a Drill - The Method Behind the Message" written by our planning specialist Frankie Lill

You’ve seen the email. You’ve heard the ding. You’ve probably thought, “I’ll get to it later,” or “Not this time,” or even “Ugh, not another OWCN notification!” We get it. You’re busy. Hands on trainings are way more fun. But here’s the truth: those emails matter more than yo...

08/20/2025

We are now accepting pre-proposals from professionals interested in furthering our goals for the 2026-2027 funding period. At this time, we are soliciting pre-proposals for full research projects (>$15,000/year for up to three years, with yearly re-application): onehealth.infoready4.com

Submit your pre-proposal by September 20 at 11:59PM PDT for consideration.

Don’t miss your chance to share your expertise, connect with global leaders, and help shape the future of wildlife response!

08/13/2025

At the 73rd annual international Wildlife Disease Association conference in Victoria, BC, we shared our expertise as leaders in oiled wildlife care and response while learning from fellow wildlife health experts from around the world. Representing the OWCN was our veterinarian Dr. Jamie Sherman, who presented on "Long-term Monitoring of Chronic Oiling in California Seabirds", highlighting trends, impacts, and implications for conservation action.

07/24/2025

Engaging, hands-on experiences at a young age can spark a lasting interest in wildlife and environmental health, planting the seeds for future veterinarians and emergency responders. This morning, our wildlife planning specialist Frankie Lill brought that spark to 6th-8th graders attending Vet Med Summer Academy through an interactive simulation of the oiled wildlife response process.

The academy, hosted by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in partnership with the UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program and Breakthrough Sacramento, is designed for students with a strong interest in veterinary science.

07/16/2025

Caring for wildlife impacted by oil spills is a complex and vital mission, one that demands compassion, precision, and excellence at each step. Every animal deserves the best possible chance to return to the wild, and that can only happen when skilled responders are ready to act with confidence and care.

To achieve the best possible care, we need to make sure the network has the best trained responders possible, and today our Oiled Wildlife Specialist training at the LA Oiled Bird Care and Education Center in San Pedro, CA worked to ensure that. This in-person, hands-on session marked the second level of OWCN’s one-of-a-kind tiered responder program, the only one of its kind in the world. It allows responders to deep dive on specific areas of the wildlife response and expand their already impressive expertise.

We were thrilled to welcome dedicated participants from many of our Southern California member organizations that power the network, all working together to stay ready in case of an oil spill.

07/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined our July Lunch & Learn session featuring world-renowned photojournalist Todd Bigelow! From war zones and social justice movements to global pandemics and disaster response, Todd reminded us that powerful imagery doesn’t just capture a moment; it helps tell the deeper story of the people, wildlife, and systems impacted by crisis.

We’re grateful for the insight into how photojournalism plays a critical role in amplifying the work we do and why sharing that work visually matters.

07/07/2025

NEW BLOG POST: Attending the EROS Training in Newport Beach, written by OWCN wildlife operations specialist JJ Cruz

You can read about his experience attending EROS for the first time as well as visiting 2 of our member organizations in sunny Southern California: https://owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/blog/attending-eros-training-newport-ca

06/30/2025

NEW BLOG POST: Aiming for Adventure, written by Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis/California Wildlife Center Free-Ranging Wildlife Health Resident Dr. Jane Riner

Ever wonder how wildlife vets treat patients they can’t get close to? During the 2025 SAVMA Symposium, Dr. Riner joined OWCN’s Dr. Jamie Sherman and OHI Executive Director Dr. Mike Ziccardi to help lead a hands-on darting lab for visiting veterinary students, introducing them to the tools and techniques of remote drug delivery. From dart guns to blowpipes, this unique workshop offered a rare glimpse into the fieldwork side of wildlife medicine.

Read more on the blog: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/blog/aiming-adventure

My name is Jane Riner and I’m the 4th free-ranging wildlife health veterinary resident in a collaborative training program with the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. One of my favorite aspects of the program is getting to share what we do with s...

06/23/2025

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the M/V Treasure oil spill, one of the largest oiled wildlife responses in history. Over 1,300 tons of oil off the coast of South Africa threatened the survival of tens of thousands of African penguins. Thanks to an extraordinary global effort, nearly 90% of those brought into care were eventually released back to the wild.

Danene Birtell, OWCN's Senior Manager of Planning, took part in the global response to the Treasure oil spill during her time as a penguin keeper at the New Jersey State Aquarium (now Adventure Aquarium). In this week's blog post, she reflects on this career-defining moment, when responders from around the world came together to protect a species in crisis.

Danene's blog post: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/spill-changed-everything-and-not-just-penguinsthe-spill-changed-everything-and-not-just

06/16/2025

NEW BLOG POST: "Slippery Situations - The Wild Differences between Rehabbing an Oiled Toad and an Oiled Grebe" written by OWCN wildlife rehabilitator Sam Christie

Take a fun and educational deep dive into the wildly different world of rehabbing an oiled toad vs. an oiled grebe - two animals with very different biology, behaviors, and needs:

Picture this: a young Western toad, its skin caked with sticky oil and dirt, is hopping through an oiled creek bed. A few counties away, a Western grebe—a fully aquatic bird—has beached herself, her feathers clumped with thick crude oil.Two animals impacted by two different oil spills… but whe...