When seagoing tankers or inland sources spill or leak oil, nearby wildlife are the first to feel the impacts. To provide better veterinary medical care and rehabilitation, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network based at UC Davis' Wildlife Health Center is coordinating the efforts of 21 organizations scattered along the California coast from Crescent City to San Diego. Now in its third year, the state-funded network annually treats approximately 500 creatures, mostly sea birds and ducks plus a few sea otters. "We have seen a great increase in survival rates because the network has enabled us to respond so quickly," says network director Dr. Jonna Mazet, an assistant adjunct professor at UC Davis and wildlife veterinarian for the California Department of Fish and Game. When rescued from oiled waters, the birds are examined, cleaned, given fluids and activated charcoal to absorb and eliminate toxins, and then moved to rehabilitation centers. If they have recovered and can swim, fly and forage after 10-14 days, they are released to the wild. Next year the network plans to construct marine bird rehabilitation facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Santa Barbara.