28 hopes for its future when the bird was originally released back into the wild after banding,”said Thunstrom. “It would be interesting to know what experiences the bird had in those years and how many young it produced in that time, but most satisfying is that it survived and did so well!” The Salish Sea Gull Project is an integral part of the Salish Sea Marine Bird Monitoring and Conservation Program. This five-year initiative is especially sig- nificant as gull species are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994 and have been identified as a stewardship priority by ECCC. “[We are] conducting research on Glaucous-winged Gulls as indicators of the health of the Salish Sea, the idea being that if the ocean is healthy, the birds will be healthy,” said Dr. Mark Hipfner, ECCC Research Scientist. “As part of the larger project, we are band- ing gulls with unique combinations of colour bands to quantify age-specific survival rates. This individual confirms for us that these gulls can live good, long lives.” Watching an animal arrive at the Wildlife Hospital in critical condition, recover, and return to the wild is one of the most rewarding parts of wildlife rehabilitation. Occasionally, we’re treated to something even more special: hearing that a past patient is not just surviving but thriving, even decades later! Before Wildlife Rescue was founded in 1979, there was no existing rehabilita- tion service for wildlife in Metro Vancouver, and members of the public had nowhere to turn to when they found wildlife in distress. Today, over 45 years later, Wildlife Rescue treats ani- mals from all over the province and pro- vides emergency response services for wildlife, all with the support of dona- tions. Over 85% of the organization’s funding comes through individual donations. During challenging times of declining donations, worsened by the nationwide cost-of-living crisis, the critical need for public support is greatly emphasized. Without funding and support from indi- viduals, businesses, municipalities, and the wider community, none of the work Wildlife Rescue does would be possible. Thanks to the ongoing support from dedicated and compassionate individu- als across Canada, Wildlife Rescue is able to provide leadership in rehabilitat- ing wildlife and in promoting the wel- fare of wild animals in the urban envi- ronment. Have you seen a banded gull? Your sighting could help conservation efforts! Report colour-banded gulls to the Salish Sea Gull Project and contribute to ongo- ing research. If you see a banded gull, you are encouraged to submit your sightings and upload your photos to http://salishseagullproject.shinyapps.io/ submit-observation-form/ or by email to [email protected] This article was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of To the Rescue, Wildlife Rescue’s quarterly newsletter. You can find this and other inspiring stories of survival at https://www.wildliferescue.ca/ what-we-do/newsletters/ *This research project was conducted under the appropriate permits.
