JULY 12
2019 - 3:52PM
Two
southern fulmars have been given a second chance at life after being found more
than 5,000 kilometres from their home in Antarctica and nursed back to health
by volunteers from the state's Seabird Rescue group.
The pair
were released in Albany earlier this week after one was discovered in a
retirement village in Australind and another was found on the canals in Halls
Head in June.
Though
the seabirds were among five to be found, they were the only ones to survive.
Western
Australian Seabird Rescue spokesperson Fiona O'Sullivan said the birds'
recovery had been a month-long process, having been exhausted, weak and
underweight when they came into care.
"These
fulmars, their minimum weight is typically around 700 grams," Ms
O'Sullivan said.
"A
couple of the fulmars that have come in have only weighed about 430 grams,
which is a lot less than what they need to be.
"They
came into care, thanks to a very experienced carer in Baldivis.
"Initially,
we only feed them fluids to rehydrate them and then we gradually reintroduce
foods to help building up their strength.
"I
transported the birds to our experienced carer in Albany and she continued
their care until they were both released."
Southern
fulmars typically breed in colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula, moving north
during the winter months away from the pack ice.
Ms
O'Sullivan said it was very unusual to see the birds in WA, and even more
unusual for the rescue group to have two in its care at the same time.
"They're
birds that live out on the ocean and they're from Antarctica, so we very rarely
see them," she said.
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