SeaWorld Reports Surge in Seabird Rescues
The SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team has responded to 486 bird rescues so far in 2026, already surpassing its 2025 total.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Bird Watching
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SeaWorld San Diego's Rescue Team reports a rise in seabird and shorebird rescues, with 486 bird rescues recorded so far in 2026 compared with 408 for all of 2025. The team has also admitted 25 birds since October 29 and is urging the public to report injured, weak, or stranded birds.
Why it matters
The growing number of birds needing help has raised concerns among wildlife rescuers, particularly as Common Murres have arrived at the facility emaciated. Their condition suggests the birds may be struggling to find enough food to survive.
The rescue team has already responded to 486 bird rescues in 2026, compared with 408 across all of 2025, and admitted 25 birds since October 29. The extraction does not establish what is driving the rise in calls involving Western Grebes, Common Loons, Common Murres, and Cormorants.
The players
SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team
The wildlife rescue unit of SeaWorld San Diego, which responds to injured and stranded marine and seabirds along the San Diego coastline.
The details
The rescue team released a public service announcement on Friday asking residents to observe injured, weak, or stranded birds from a safe distance and report sightings, including the bird's location, date and time, photos if available, and any visible injuries or unusual behavior. Response times can vary with call volume and personnel availability, and an immediate response cannot always be guaranteed.
Timeline
2025: 408 bird rescues recorded for the full year.
October 29, 2026: The rescue team began admitting birds, with 25 admitted since this date.
Friday, November 6, 2026: The rescue team released its public service announcement.
Seasonal Patterns
The SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team's 486 rescues in 2026 already exceed its full-year 2025 total of 408, marking a sharp rise over the team's previous annual record. The extraction does not confirm whether this reflects a seasonal pattern or a longer-term trend in seabird distress along the coast.
Residents who spot an injured, weak, or stranded bird should keep their distance and call the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team at 1-800-541-SEAL (7325). Include the bird's location, the date and time seen, and photos if possible, and understand that response times may vary.
The takeaway
Reporting injured or stranded birds promptly, and from a safe distance, gives rescuers the best chance to help. Anyone who sees a struggling seabird on the San Diego coast can make a difference by calling the rescue line.
Further reading
For more on the species involved, explore our Bird Watching guides.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSWB 5/69.
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