Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate
WEBSITE       FACEBOOK       YOUTUBE        MARY CUMMINS RESUME
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real estate. Show all posts

Monday, November 9, 2020

Mary Cummins Real Estate Appraiser Los Angeles California resume, curriculum vitae Wikipedia

Mary Cummins

 
Mary Cummins
Mary Cummins was born in 1964 in Long Beach, California. Cummins is an author, speaker, actor, real estate expert, freedom of speech advocate, animal rights activist and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Contents

   [] 

Early life and education

Cummins was born in Long Beach, California. The family soon after moved to Beverly Hills, California. She was raised by her grandmother Mary R. Cummins born Maria Rivera. Her grandmother was born in the Federal District of Mexico in 1899. Her grandfather is Robert Cummins who died in WWII. She has an older sister who is an actress named Juliette Cummins who is most well known for acting in horror movies.
She attended St. Victor's Catholic School then Beverly Hills Catholic School now called Good Shepherd Catholic School in Beverly Hills. She then attended El Rodeo public school in Beverly Hills for 7th and 8th grades and Beverly Hills High School. She later attended the University of Southern California on scholarship as a biology/psychology major. She was on the Dean's list in high school and college. Cummins also volunteered with her church, school, local hospital, YMCA, projects for the elderly and disabled.
Growing up she was on the Beverly Hills YMCA swim team with swimmer Dara Torres, Culver City Roadrunners Swim Team with swimmer Tiffany Cohen, Beverly Hills High School swim and water polo teams and University of Southern California swim team. She was a top ten AAU swimmer in the United States and completed the first precursor to the modern day triathlon. Cummins worked out with the Soviet Union swim coach Boris Zenov and Gold and Silver medalists Marina Yarchenia, Marina Koshevaya at the UCLA pool in 1976 as featured in the LA Times.

Real Estate

Cummins received her California real estate sales license in 1984. She became a full broker in 1986. She received her California real estate appraiser licensein 1994 when they were first mandatory. Cummins has been a real estate expert in both civil and criminal trial cases in California. She was one of the appraisers of the Ambassador Hotel in the eminent domain case in the 1990's. She's also done appraisals for eminent domain cases for the Los Angeles Metro and pro bono work for local non-profits. Besides teaching real estate appraisal theory classes she's also written many articles on all aspects of real estate appraisal and sales. To date she has done over 25,000 real estate appraisals for AMC's, brokers, lawyers, accountants, government agencies and private individuals. She has worked for Merrill Lynch, Westside Properties, the Apartment Owners Association (AOA) and Forensis Group.

Freedom of Speech

Cummins is an advocate on freedom of speech issues. In the past 20 years she has written reports on securities fraud and animal cruelty cases. In two of these cases she was sued for defamation in retaliation for posting her reports on the Internet and filing complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)and authorities.
"Fredric Rittereiser, Ashton Technology vs Mary Cummins", 2000. In this case the CEO of Ashton Technology Fredric Rittereiser and the company sued Cummins for defamation and tortious interference. Cummins represented herself pro se and won this case in November 2001.
"Kathy Knight-McConnell vs Mary Cummins", July 2003. In this case company paid stock promoter Kathy Knight-McConnell sued Cummins for defamation, trademark infringement and securities claims. Cummins represented herself pro se and won in 2004. This case set case law precedence as this was the beginning of internet law.

Bat World v Mary Cummins. In this case Cummins reported Amanda Lollar and Bat World Sanctuary to authorities for animal cruelty, violations of the Animal Welfare Act and other violations. As a result they lost their USDA permit. In retaliation Cummins was sued for defamation and breach of contract. Lollar also began stalking, cyberstalking and defaming Cummins. Cummins received a restraining order against Lollar. All but one claim was reversed on appeal. The Appeals Court confirmed that Lollar forged her exhibits and submitted perjured testimony which are crimes. Lollar is currently under investigation for prosecution. The case is ongoing.

Animal Activism

Cummins has always been a strong proponent for animal rights. She has rescued animals since she was a small child rescuing a fawn, bunny and squirrels at the age of six. Cummins started her own non-profit Animal Advocates in 2002. She is licensed with the California Department of Fish & Game and the USDA to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife including coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, all the way down to bats. Mary Cummins speaks to local community groups and students about respecting wildlife and humane wildlife control. Mary Cummins is also a Wildlife Control Operator. Mary Cummins has written manuals on small mammal rehabilitation besides numerous articles. Cummins is also on the Humane Society of the United States' animal rescue team. Cummins helped with a cock fighting raid in California in 2010. Cummins also assisted in a hoarder intervention in Lucerne Valley which was featured on Animal Planets show "Confessions, Animal Hoarding" in 2012.
Cummins also lobbies and speaks out for animal rights. She worked with other animal rights groups to help pass the West Hollywood fur ban. She also worked with Dr. Jennifer Conrad of the Paw Project to help ban the declawing of domestic cats, large cats and wild animals. In 2004 she was able to change the wildlife policy for the City of Los Angeles. She also made an amendment to zoning in Los Angeles County to allow wildlife rehabilitation. She's also lobbied for many new bills such as SB 1229. Cummins went through the Rio Hondo Police Academy and the Humane Academy to become a Humane Officer. Cummins also worked for American Humane and the Found Animals Foundation. She was also outspoken about the tainted and rancid puppy and kitten formulas made by Petag.

Personal life

Cummins currently lives in Bel Air, California which is also home to her wildlife sanctuary and wildlife rehabilitation facility. Her hobbies are motorcycling, skiing, scuba diving, hiking, cooking and reading. She is a "green" Vegan doing what she can to help the environment, people and animals.

Awards and Honors

External Links

Publications and Articles

Animals

Selected Media

Animals
  • 2003 Animal Planet "Beverly Hills Vet, Squirrel Rehabilitation"
  • 2003 California Department of Fish & Game (now Fish & Wildlife) CADFG "Scrawl of the Wild"
  • 2003 Los Angeles Times, LA Times "Rodent poisoning project angers animal activists"
  • 2004 Cable television show "Wildlife Rescue," six episodes, Doggy TV
  • 2004 Gardena Valley News "Helping furry friends survive urban jungle"
  • 2004 KROQ radio interview with Scott Mason
  • 2005 Discovery Channel "The Undetectables, Squirrel Care"
  • 2005 LA Weekly "A Billionaire's Bark" about Gary Michelson
  • 2005 KROQ radio interview with Scott Mason
  • 2005 Thousand Oaks Acorn "Public outcry over slain tiger loud but not universal"
  • 2005 LA Times "Urban remedies: Dealing with new arrivals"
  • 2005 Thousand Oaks Acorn "Public outcry over slain tiger loud but not universal"
  • 2005 LA City Beat "Welcome to the jungle"
  • 2006 Daily News "Stuckey stays on as $50,000 City consultant"
  • 2006 Book "Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide"
  • 2006 Daily News "County relaxes restrictions on llamas, animal rehab"
  • 2006 Daily News "Council hears Stuckey critics"
  • 2006 LA Times "Fired City Official's appeal in limbo"
  • 2007 LA Times "Opossums: your garden's evening clean-up crew"
  • 2009 LA Times "Your morning adorable, baby skunks and the handstand dance"
  • 2010 Martha Stewart "A gopher named Charlie"
  • 2010 Martha Stewart "A second chance for Charlie"
  • 2010 LA Times "Your morning adorable: rescued rabbit enjoys a meal"
  • 2010 LA Times "Your morning adorable: rub a dub dub, raccoons in a tub"
  • 2010 Top YouTube pets video channel in March
  • 2011 Ventura County Star "City says bats remain at Moorpark home"
  • 2011 CBS Los Angeles "Moorpark Says Homeowners Not Doing Enough To Fight Bats"
  • 2011 NBC "WeHo one step closer to fur ban"
  • 2012 Santa Monica Patch "Wild Animal in Town? Call on Us, Vet Says"
  • 2012 Santa Monica Daily Press "Groups want policy change after mountain lion death"
  • 2012 ABC "In Defense of Animals IDA Rally held in Santa Monica in protest of fatal shooting of mountain lion"
  • 2012 NBC "Animal-Rights Group Protests Santa Monica Mountain Lion Shooting"
Real Estate
  • 1985 LA Times "People in Westside Real Estate" Cummins joins Merrill Lynch
  • 1990 LA Times "People in Westside Real Estate" Cummins joins Westside Properties
  • 2002 LA Times "Suggestions for the bidder whose offers are rejected"
  • 2007 LA Times "Historical homes, not for everyone"
  • 2009 LA Weekly "Jimmy Nasralla finds a lawyer"
  • 2009 LA Weekly "Is LA City Attorney Trutanich screwing over the little guy?"
  • 2009 LA Weekly "Jimmy on the edge of town"
Mary Cummins, 645 W 9th St #110-140, Los Angeles, California, USA

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Why the USDA does not enforce the Animal Welfare Act regulations? Because they have no enforcement power - Animal Advocates

usda, awa, animal welfare act, enforce, violations, regulations

I'm a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and have a small wildlife sanctuary of unreleasable wildlife. I must have a USDA permit to keep these animals. The USDA inspectors told me they have no regulations on size of enclosures, enrichment, type of food...for raccoons, skunks, opossums or squirrels. They only state they must be "sufficient." That said California Fish & Wildlife does have specific regulations for each animal. Our enclosures, treatment are always superior to these minimum standards.

People have asked why the USDA does not go after people who violate AWA regulations. I asked my USDA inspectors who are all licensed veterinarians the same question. They have pets and love animals. They told me they have no enforcement power. If someone is a repeat violator, they will cancel their USDA permit. That is all they can do. They don't have the power to seize the animals, arrest the people or bring charges. They said if they take away the permit, the person will just operate without one with no oversight at all.

Now the California Department of Fish & Wildlife does have enforcement power in regard to wildlife. They can take away someone's permit. If they continue to operate without it, they've committed multiple felonies. They can seize all the animals, arrest the person and file charges against them.

That said someone should write, propose legislation to give the USDA enforcement power just like the Dept of Fish & Wildlife. All that said even with enforcement power the departments don't have the resources to seize and hold all those animals. They have to keep them as evidence until the case is settled or the owner agrees to give them the animals. These cases are long and drawn out.

The only time I've seen Fish & Wildlife take action is when a non-profit rescue has offered to care for the animals during litigation and agrees to take them if the owner or court allows it. That was the only way Fish & Wildlife went after Tiger Rescue. Fund for Animals took care of the tigers and eventually placed them all after the owner signed them over. This is the reason why Fish & Wildlife won't go after the Waystation who has been in violation for years and years.

The only success I've seen is the HSUS Humane Officers who can enforce animal control, animal cruelty, wildlife, regular police...regulations. They only go after cases where they have the resources to care for the animals. They just don't have the resources to help with all the cases.

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

European Ape Could be Human Ancestor - or not. Pre-humans could have more than one origin - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates


An article came out today suggesting that maybe the first pre-human originated in Europe.

"In 1944, German soldiers constructing a bunker in Greece uncovered a fossilized jawbone. The specimen was in poor shape, just a curve of mandible with its teeth mostly chipped away. “It was considered to be a specimen that nobody really knew what to do with,” said paleobiologist David R. Begun, a professor at the University of Toronto. But a new analysis of this broken jaw revealed that the bone is about 7 million years old. The jaw also has some humanlike characteristics, he says.

Begun and his colleagues say the fossil could represent the oldest known human ancestor. They further suggest that the fossil means our ancestors diverged from apes in Southern Europe — not Africa."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/05/22/ape-that-lived-in-europe-7-million-years-ago-could-be-human-ancestor-controversial-study-suggests

I have a feeling the true origins of humans will be complex. For instance marsupials originated in what is now North America. They moved between North and South America until they separated. Then they crossed the land bridge to Australia, New Zealand and continued to evolve into more varied species of marsupials. Marsupials went extinct in North America. Then when the Isthmus of Panama emerged 20 million years ago some marsupials made it back to North America. That marsupial is our only native marsupial the Virginia opossum. It hasn't changed much in 65 million years. Article is "Ancient origins of modern opossum revealed," December 2009, University of Florida.

Pre-humans may have also gone back and forth just like opossums via land bridges.

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Happy Earth Day from Animal Advocates in Los Angeles, California - Mary Cummins

Happy Earth Day from Animal Advocates in Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Today April 22 is Earth Day.  20 million people celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 to increase public awareness abut the damage humans were doing to the environment. The purpose of Earth Day is to educate people about the relationship we have with our natural resources. California was one of the first states to enact statutes to protect our flora and fauna. Today Earth Day is celebrated by more than a billion people in 192 nations.

You don’t have to be a professional wildlife conservationist to protect our wildlife, ecosystems and earth. Here are a few things you can do to help save our environment.


  • Pick up litter. Wildlife sometimes mistake it for food, eat it and end up dying. Birds can also become entangled in fishing line and die.
  • Don’t use rat poison. Let rodent’s natural predators, i.e. coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raptors and snakes, control their populations. 
  • Replace your lawn with native drought tolerant plans to conserve water and native pollinators.
  • Conserve water. This is especially important here in California. Use as little water as possible to prevent shortages and assure sufficient amounts of water for crops and the ecosystem. 
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle. Most cities by now have recycling programs. 
  • Use your car less often. Walk, bike, carpool, use public transportation or use a hybrid vehicle.
  • Never dump anything into a storm drain or gutter as they lead to the ocean.
  • Educate your children about local plants and animals so they will grow up with a positive conservation attitude. 
  • Volunteer at nature centers, wildlife preserves or wildlife rehabilitation facilities.
  • Keep your dog on a leash in wild places. Don’t let your dog chase birds. Birds need undisturbed time to nest, forage, rest and clean themselves.
  • Keep cats indoors. Cats kill millions of birds and small animals every year. Many of the animals we receive were cat or dog caught. 
  • Go solar. Most utilities now offer rebates.
  • Conserve electricity and gas. The less you use, the less pollution. Plate trees to offer shade. Line dry clothing. 


There are many Earth Day events planned throughout California. Here are a few from the California Department of Fish & Game.

Earth Day Festival at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach (92647). The free event will include educational activity booths and guided tours of the reserve. Exhibitors include CDFW, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Wetland and Wildlife Care Center, Native People of SoCal, Orange County Coastkeeper, Shipley Nature Center, Air Quality Management District, Wyland Foundation, Shed Your Skin, and co-host Amigos de Bolsa Chica. Enjoy the Windows to Our Wetlands bus, interactive booths, native plant stations, a craft booth, food for sale, and more. The event is handicap accessible, held in the north parking lot. For more information, call (714) 846-1114.

CDFW will be at the U.S. Forest Service’s Kern River Valley Bioregions Festival at Circle Park in Kernville April 22, to explain the Kern River Hatchery renovation project and the new Kern River Rainbow program with the Friends of the Kern River Hatchery. The CDFW Natural Resource Volunteer Program will provide a booth with information on volunteer opportunities.
CDFW will host booths at three Sacramento area events: the Roseville Celebrate the Earth Festival and Sacramento Zoo Earth Day on April 22, and the ECOS Sacramento Earth Day on April 23. Ask staff about California wildlife, Watchable Wildlife locations in the greater Sacramento area and Nimbus Fish Hatchery, which is open to visitors year-round. Enjoy a variety of hands-on activities, including the Salmon Survival Wheel, where players learn about the obstacles that salmon must overcome in order to spawn.

Volunteer Work Day at Friant Interactive Nature Site, April 21 and 22, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 17443 N. Friant Rd, Friant (93626). Spend a fun day outdoors, doing trail maintenance (pulling weeds, raking, pruning) in a lovely setting for outdoors education. For more information, please call (559) 696-8092.

Gray Lodge Clean-up and Field Day and Public Meeting, April 22, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). The event is in partnership with California Waterfowl Association (CWA), and will include habitat and maintenance projects, followed by a lunch sponsored by CWA. The day will be informative and will help improve the quality of wildlife habitat. At 1:30 p.m., CDFW will hold an annual public outreach meeting regarding the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Areas at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area’s main office building. For more information, please call (530) 846-7500 or email GLWLA@wildlife.ca.gov.
Los Banos Wildlife Area will have a hands-on activity booth at the Modesto Earth Day Festival in Graceda Park.

Animal Advocates
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us/
http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Refugio Oil Spill Response California Department Fish & Wildlife - Animal Advocates Wildlife Rehabilitation

Animal Advocates, Wildlife Rehabilitation, Refugio Oil Spill, California, Fish, Wildlife, Rescue

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

OFFICE OF SPILL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
REFUGIO OIL SPILL RESPONSE EVALUATION REPORT
May 2016 Summary and Recommendations from the Office of Spill Prevention and Response

Wildlife Branch Report Only
(Prepared/Edited by Animal Advocates)

Birds
Marine Mammals


267 live and dead birds collected
162 live and dead marine mammals collected
46/65 live birds captured were released
24/63 live mammals captured were released
19 died in care
39 died in care
202 birds collected dead
99 collected dead
Most birds collected were brown pelicans, murres and pacific loons
Most marine mammals collected were California Sea Lions

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to summarize the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Office of Spill Prevention and Response’s (OSPR) response efforts to date regarding the Refugio Oil Spill, as well as lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. The information and recommendations provided in this report are based on OSPR’s internal evaluation of performance in those response functions for which OSPR had responsibility. Although winding down, the Refugio Oil Spill response is ongoing, specifically focusing on implementing the Phase III Maintenance and Monitoring Plan. Because OSPR has a primary role in carrying out this plan, Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment activities will not be covered in this version of this report, but will be added as an addendum at a later date following full demobilization and closing of the response. Additionally, this report does not cover any civil or criminal investigations which are outside the scope of managing an incident.

The CDFW has public trustee responsibility for protecting, managing, and restoring the State’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. During response to oil spills in state waters OSPR fulfills the trustee mandate as the designated State On-Scene Coordinator (SOSC) and represents the State in coordinated oil spill response efforts with the Federal government. As such, OSPR is one of the few State agencies in the nation that has both major pollution response authority and public trustee authority for wildlife and habitat.

The facts, information, and recommendations contained in this report are based upon information which is presently available through the response effort. Additional facts may be discovered or known which could otherwise be considered to modify content or recommendations contained in this report. Thus, CDFW/OSPR reserves the right to not be bound to the content of this report if additional information becomes known after the publication of this report.

The Refugio Oil Spill and Response

The Refugio Oil Spill occurred on May 19, 2015, due to the failure of an underground 24-inch pipeline (Line 901) near Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County. The responsible party (RP) was Plains Pipeline, L.P. (a subsidiary of Plains All-American Pipeline). The pipeline failure caused crude oil to be released onto land and then it flowed into the Pacific Ocean. As initial information on the potential spill was gathered, it quickly became apparent that the spill was a significant event and was continuing to grow. The RP initially estimated the amount of crude oil released at about 104,000 gallons, with 21,000 gallons reaching the ocean.

Within hours, based on recommendations from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the CDFW issued a closure of fisheries. The following day, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., declared a state of emergency for Santa Barbara County.

The pathway of the crude oil caused significant oiling to terrestrial areas before reaching the ocean at Refugio State Beach. A cliff face above the beach and the shoreline at Refugio State Beach was most heavily impacted. Other areas of the Santa Barbara and Ventura coast were also significantly affected. The crude oil that entered the ocean posed a significant risk to and injured marine wildlife, including invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals. In addition to direct natural resource impacts, the closure of beaches and fisheries occurred days before the Memorial Day weekend resulting in losses for local businesses and lost opportunities for the public to visit and enjoy the shore and offshore areas. Some tar balls attributable to the Line 901 release were carried by southerly ocean currents and eventually reached some beaches in Los Angeles County.

Wildlife Branch

Objectives & Responsibilities

Wildlife is put at risk when oil is spilled into aquatic or terrestrial environments. Both federal and state statutes mandate protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. In California, OSPR and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN; administered by the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center), work to provide the best achievable capture and care for impacted wildlife during oil spill response. This mission is met through providing reconnaissance for oil-impacted wildlife; assessing the need for and providing hazing of at-risk wildlife; recovering potentially oil-impacted live and dead wildlife; stabilizing, washing and rehabilitating impacted live wildlife; and documenting and managing disposition of dead potentially impacted wildlife.

Refugio Activities & Effort

In response to the Refugio incident, the Wildlife Branch Director (WBD; an OSPR staff scientist) activated the OWCN on May 19, 2015. This initial activation set in motion the activation of OWCN member organization staff, pre-trained volunteers, and facilities. On May 20, OSPR established the Wildlife Branch in the Operations Section at the Incident Command Post (ICP) and, with other Agency and OWCN Member Organization staff and volunteers, began recovering impacted wildlife. Wildlife Branch field operations were demobilized on June 24, based on oil fingerprinting results from samples taken from recovered animals.

Wildlife Reconnaissance

Baseline information on the status and distribution of wildlife was important in assessing at risk wildlife and developing appropriate response actions. While this information was available during spill response from the Environmental Unit of the Planning Section (Resources-at-Risk Specialist), variations from historic baseline conditions due to daily and seasonal movements of many animal species necessitated rapid, real-time reconnaissance of wildlife concentrations in the spill area. Real-time data were collected using aircraft and initial on-water/boat and onshore surveys. An OSPRcontracted team of U.C. Santa Cruz experts flew with a CDFW-piloted plane on May 21, 2015, to provide marine bird and mammal locations at-sea in relation to the spill. This data aided in planning where to send recovery teams, and determining whether and where specialized equipment was needed, e.g., specific kennel sizes or capture gear for specific species.

Reconnaissance also included managing over 1,000 phone calls from the public reporting over 300 sightings of oiled wildlife. The OWCN Oiled Wildlife Hotline (hotline) began receiving calls reporting oiled wildlife on day two of the spill. At this time, the hotline was transferred to OSPR phone operators who received information from concerned citizens on the location of oiled wildlife. Operators then transferred this information to Wildlife Branch staff at the ICP via email who then texted it to the Wildlife Recovery Group in the field.

The extent of coastline over which oiled wildlife was found was extensive. In past spills, shoreline reconnaissance has typically been covered by wildlife recovery teams from the shoreline. Post spill evaluation indicated that shoreline and/or boat reconnaissance teams could have been useful throughout the duration of this spill.

Wildlife Hazing

Wildlife hazing is intended to minimize injuries to wildlife by attempting to keep animals away from oil and/or cleanup operations. The need for hazing was assessed initially and throughout the Refugio incident and deemed not advantageous for onshore and nearshore birds and pinnipeds, and not practical far offshore for whales. The Hazing Group Supervisor made the recommendation to not haze via the WBD to the Unified Command. The recommendation was guided by site-specific and species-specific factors present at the time of the spill, and availability of proven hazing techniques.

Wildlife Recovery

Once animals became oiled, habitat-specific and species-specific strategies to recover and remove oiled live animals and all dead wildlife were required. Wildlife recovery teams – under separate bird and mammal operational groups – attempted to complete systematic surveys to collect affected wildlife, including at least one survey as early as safely possible after dawn. Successful captures not only depended on the condition of the target animals, but also on the training and experience of the Recovery teams, and techniques and equipment used. Concerned citizens began recovering oiled wildlife in the afternoon of day one of the spill in part due to lack of knowledge regarding wildlife response protocols (i.e., capture should only be done by qualified response personnel) and oil health and safety practices.

Bird recovery teams recovered 267 live and dead birds. Of the 65 live birds captured, 46 were released and 19 died in care. An additional 202 birds were collected dead. The primary species collected were Brown Pelicans, Common Murres, and Pacific Loons. Several oiled Snowy Plovers were observed at Coal Oil Point, but teams did not attempt capture due to a determination made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in consultation with the Wildlife Branch, that the risks of injury from capture outweighed the negative consequences of light oiling.

Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California

Marine mammal recovery teams (composed primarily of members of the California Marine Mammal Stranding Network acting within the OWCN and in coordination with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator) responded to reports of live and dead oiled marine mammals. Teams followed national oiled pinniped guidelines, recently updated by NMFS following the Deepwater Horizon, to capture and recover marine mammals. For dead animals, recovery teams deployed to collect the animal, or (if the animal was too large to collect) field processing teams deployed to collect information/evidence from the carcass.

Due to a concurrent and on-going California Sea Lion Unusual Mortality Event (UME) and the use of the new national guidelines, additional staff and resources were needed to recover and process both live and dead marine mammals. Most facilities and local staff were already operating at capacity due to the UME. While the recovery teams that were initially deployed had limited supplies to support early bird operations, the unusual finding of large numbers of affected marine mammals presented a greater challenge for acquiring necessary equipment.

Teams recovered a total of 162 live and dead marine mammals. Of the 63 live mammals captured, 24 were released and 39 died in care. Ninety-nine mammals were recovered dead. The primary species collected was the California Sea Lion.

Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins, Los Angeles, California

Transportation

Transport of oiled wildlife from the field to the recovery/field stabilization area(s), and/or to the primary care facility was done as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, because most marine mammal facilities were above operational capacities due to the UME, the closest large-scale facility that could accept oiled pinnipeds was SeaWorld San Diego. Similarly, the closest large-scale primary care center for birds was the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care & Education Center, located in San Pedro. The extensive shoreline area over which impacted wildlife were recovered, coupled with the long distance to primary care facilities and significant traffic congestion, presented transportation challenges throughout the response. When possible, animals were checked on periodically during transport, and if needed, provided hydration and nutrition.

Field Stabilization

The Field Stabilization Group provided initial care prior to transportation to the primary care facilities to increase survival. The OWCN mobile veterinary laboratory/animal care trailer (aka, MASH unit) was dispatched to the field for this purpose. In addition, smaller wildlife rehabilitation centers (Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute and the Marine Mammal Care Center in Fort MacArthur for pinnipeds, and Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network for birds) provided additional stabilization support.

Wildlife Care & Processing

The Wildlife Care & Processing Group utilized two Strike Teams – Wildlife Care and Wildlife Processing. The Wildlife Care Strike Team ensured that wildlife exposed to petroleum products received the best achievable care through veterinary services at 29 rehabilitation centers. The Wildlife Processing Strike Team ensured oiled animals were fully evaluated and that data were captured, so the UC could obtain oiled wildlife statistics used for a variety of purposes, such as response strategy development and media updates. Separate care and processing groups were formed for birds and mammals within the two separate primary care centers.

Recommendations

Both OSPR and OWCN hosted multiple “Refugio Incident Wildlife Hotwash” discussions to identify lessons learned among lead and key staff. The following describes significant lessons learned and recommended changes to improve spill response for oiled wildlife.

Wildlife Reconnaissance

· While the hotline was effective in receiving and transferring information for hundreds of calls, tracking the status of each animal was time consuming for responders in the field. In the future, data should be input to a “live spreadsheet” document that can be shared among key wildlife staff (e.g., operators, WBD, responders in the field). This system will provide data more efficiently to responders, and will aid operators in providing status updates to concerned citizens on animals they report.
· To address increased calls to the hotline as a result of public concern during spills and ready access via cell phones, as well as a request from OWCN for shoreline and/or on-water reconnaissance teams throughout the duration a large oil spill, OSPR should prepare to fill the role of Reconnaissance Group Supervisor in future wildlife responses and as appropriate in drills.

Wildlife Recovery

· The OWCN will develop more comprehensive plans to ensure an on scene core staff Wildlife Recovery Group Supervisor and complete supply caches (either within the OWCN’s Sprinter van or pre-staged caches) are available on day one of a spill. Additionally, the OWCN will establish standards to cascade resources to a spill over defined time periods.
· The Refugio Incident was the first spill in recent California history to involve significant numbers of oiled and possibly impacted marine mammals. For example, during the Cosco Busan oil spill, one live oiled marine mammal was encountered, and five dead. As such, activated Recovery personnel had greater-than-normal operational taskings for the incident size. In the future, additional staff should be activated to ensure coverage is attained both for responding to public/responder sightings as well as systematic regional searches.

Wildlife Field Stabilization and Field Processing

· OWCN leads should ensure all OWCN personnel receive additional training on the National Oiled Marine Mammal Guidelines, and develop California-specific guidelines that help enact these Guidelines. 
· For spills with anticipated wildlife impacts, a core staff Group Supervisor and the MASH unit (with equipment and supplies needed to support field stabilization and (if necessary) field processing) should be on scene within 24 hrs.

Wildlife Transportation

· Use of staff from OSRO’s as drivers for transportation of oiled wildlife was effective for providing dedicated personnel for this important task as well as trucks of sufficient size. In the future the WBD should consider the use of OSRO or other contract personnel/vehicles for transport, in particular when marine mammals are impacted. All transporters should be accompanied by a trained OWCN volunteer or staff who can ensure animals remain stable and can also direct communications with the facility and transportation coordinators to provide updates on estimated arrival times.

This report was prepared, edited by Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitators located in Los Angeles, California. It is only the wildlife portion of the full report which is linked below. 

Animal Advocates
645 W 9th St #110-140
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.AnimalAdvocates.us
info@AnimalAdvocates.us
www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA


https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=122847

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)