A Western Snowy Plover, a bird species of special concern in San Diego County, was released back into the wild on February 5th following successful rehabilitation at the San Diego Humane Society’s Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center, according to officials.
The plover’s recovery is a collaborative effort involving SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA). The bird’s journey began in 2020 when it was rescued as an egg from a vulnerable nesting site. SeaWorld provided specialized care for the developing bird, and after hatching and reaching maturity, it was banded and released.
For the past four years, SDZWA researchers have monitored the plover’s progress in the wild. On January 20th, a San Diego Zoo Wildlife biologist discovered the bird in Coronado with a leg injury and brought it to the San Diego Humane Society for treatment.
“This bird represents the incredible synergy between San Diego’s conservation organizations,” said Dr. Alexis Wohl, Wildlife Veterinary Manager at San Diego Humane Society. “From her start as a rescued egg at SeaWorld to years of monitoring by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and finally her recovery here at San Diego Humane Society, her story shows what we can achieve when we work together to protect our region’s most vulnerable species.”
Western Snowy Plovers face significant threats, including habitat loss and disturbance, as they nest directly on sandy beaches, making their eggs and chicks particularly susceptible to harm. The species is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program, located at the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center, provides care for over 10,000 injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals annually. The program is a primary resource for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education in San Diego County. Individuals who find injured or orphaned wildlife in San Diego County can contact SeaWorld of California at (800) 541-7325 or the San Diego Humane Society – Project Wildlife Drop-off Center at (619) 299-7012.