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Dax Foundation to Sponsor Lunch & Release Event in Santa Monica to Celebrate Lucy’s Return to Her Natural Home in the Bay
LOS ANGELES – September 3, 2009 (BusinessWire) – The International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC), a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating aquatic birds and other wildlife, and the Dax Foundation, a Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping people and animals around the world, announced today they will be hosting a luncheon and releasing back to the wild, a rescued California Brown Pelican named Lucy, along with 5 gulls, at the Blue Planet Film Festival at 12:30 P.M. September 4, 2009.
The goals of the event include educating the public about the significant challenges aquatic birds and other wildlife face as they struggle to live on a planet that continually exposes them to serious environmental and other human-caused threats as well as increasing public support for the critical work the IBRRC performs in helping these animals live better lives.
In August, Lucy, an adult female Brown Pelican, became trapped in a pile of discarded fishing line with a large hook embedded in her left wing in some bushes near Ballona Creek, California. Fortunately a quick thinking, compassionate hiker rescued Lucy and immediately brought her to IBRRC’s center in San Pedro, California where she immediately received treatment for severe bruises and a serious infection.
Lucy has fully recovered and is now flying from perch to perch in the Center’s recovery aviary. Lucy and several of her Pelican friends with similar stories have been successfully nursed back to health by the IBRRC staff and are ready to return to their homes in the waters off the California coast.
“Lucy is one of the lucky ones,” said Jay Holcomb, IBRRC’s Executive Director. “Thanks to the dedicated hiker who rescued her, she arrived at our facility in time to save her. Although she was quite stressed and needed immediate medical attention, our staff was ready to treat Lucy and ultimately restore her to full health.”
Dave Weisman, Executive Director of the Dax Foundation, sponsor of the luncheon and release celebration, added, “Since 1971, the IBRRC has been the primary first responder in virtually every oil spill and major event negatively affecting aquatic birds. When we’ve needed them they’ve always been there. Unfortunately, the IBRRC is currently facing serious cutbacks in their funding threatening their ability to continue their important work. We hope this event will raise additional awareness about the vital role the IBRRC plays in serving their communities and the public will recognize their great work with additional volunteer and financial support.”
The release event and vegan luncheon is part of the Blue Planet Film Festival’s “Animal Day” festivities and will be held on the beach next to the Santa Monica Pier September 4, 2009 at 12:30 P.M. For additional information on how to volunteer or donate to the IBRRC, please visit www.ibrrc.org.
About the International Bird Rescue Research Center
International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) was founded in 1971 after the Oregon Standard collided with another ship under the Golden Gate Bridge, which resulted in a massive spill of crude oil that covered over 7,000 birds. Since then, IBRRC has responded to over 200 national and international spills including the Exxon Valdez, Cosco Busan and Treasure Oil Spill in South Africa. The IBRRC is the world leader in aquatic bird rehabilitation, oiled bird rescue and rehabilitation and the management of oiled wildlife efforts during an oil spill. IBRRC's mission is to mitigate the human impact on aquatic birds and other wildlife, worldwide. This is achieved through emergency response, rehabilitation, education, research and planning. For more info, please visit www.ibrrc.org.
About The Dax Foundation
The Dax Foundation is a private, California-based non-profit, philanthropic organization that implements and supports innovative programs that help people around the world identify, pursue and realize their dreams. The Foundation provides resources, support and raises awareness for individuals and groups whose vision includes making the world a better place for all people and animals. Projects currently supported by the Foundation include the Mayfair Foundation, a recreation and educational facility for severely disabled children; Over A Barrel, a rescue and treatment facility for abused and neglected animals; Organs ‘R’ Us, a program dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need for life-saving organ donation; Maui Cat, a humane program to reduce the pain and suffering of rampant feral cat populations; and other deserving programs around the world. For more information, please visit www.daxfoundation.org.
About The Blue Planet Film Festival
Blue Planet Film Fest, the first annual Animal Welfare/Environmental Film Festival and Forum, will be held in Santa Monica over Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, 2009. The mission of the non-profit festival is to screen films that raise mainstream awareness about the most important issues of our time: saving the earth and ending the suffering of animals at human hands. In order to motivate people to action, Blue Planet will endeavor to do for environmental films what Sundance did for indie films, branding a genre and creating a staple for the average filmgoer. For more information, please visit www.blueplanetfilmfest.com.
Contacts:
For IBRRC
Jay Holcomb
(707) 249-4870
jay.holcomb@ibrrc.org
For Blue Planet Film Festival
Therese Lee
(310)396-9950
thereseleepr@gmail.com
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