When a tanker spilled oil into San Francisco Bay near Alameda in late October, one of the first calls the California Department of Fish and Game made was to the Wildlife Health Center, a unit of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The Center leads the statewide Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN).

Director Michael Ziccardi, a UC Davis veterinarian, and Yvette Hernandez, the field coordination specialist, are two of the eight center staff who work with 29 partner organizations that include regulatory agencies, wildlife organizations, academic institutions and trained wildlife care volunteers to rescue and rehabilitate oiled wildlife in California.

The OWCN has responded to 60 spills since its inception in 1994, treating thousands of birds and other wildlife. "California is unique," Hernandez said, "because state law actually requires us to do this."

The most recent spill was relatively small, Ziccardi said. His group rescued 49 live birds, 28 of which have, to date, been healthy enough to be released. Another 18 died, and roughly 20 dead birds were found washed ashore. Despite the small numbers, almost 200 staff days were logged on animal capture and care activities, and volunteers contributed more than 500 crucial hours at the facility. More than eight different search and collection teams walked the beach on any given day, or used kayaks and other boats to capture the oiled birds.

Hernandez helps coordinate the capture teams.

"For each spill, we first assess the habitat because rescue methods that work well on a beach may not work in wetlands or an estuary," she said. "For example, on a beach the oiled birds are cold, fatigued and stressed. We can use binoculars to assess their health and devise a strategy for capture. Our goal is to keep them out of the water."

Captured birds are then taken to an on-site mobile first aid station, which is basically a camper that's been outfitted as a veterinary clinic. Once there, staff and trained volunteers warm the birds, rehydrate them if necessary, and ensure they are stable enough to be transferred to a primary care facility.

There are 12 primary care facilities around the state. UC Davis (in partnership with International Bird Rescue Research Center) runs the facility at Fairfield, where birds from the October spill were treated, as well as a facility at San Pedro.

At the facility, birds and other wildlife are examined to make sure they can survive the washing process. Each species reacts differently to cleaning, Hernandez said. "American coots are pretty hardy and can tolerate washing pretty well. Grebes are more delicate. The people who do the washing are really skilled at getting oil off the birds."

For Hernandez, putting together a successful team of staff and volunteers is as satisfying as rescuing the birds. "I always thought seeing the rescued birds released would give me the greatest job satisfaction, but seeing the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard be so completely humbled and grateful is what really makes me happy."

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