Sea bird blown ashore rescued in Karnataka

MANGALURU: Masked Booby, a large seabird, that was blown ashore is being treated at the Reef Watch Marine Conservation Centre in Kundapur. Dr Shantanu Kalambi, veterinarian, Reef Watch Marine Conservation told TOI that the bird that was blown ashore last week near Udupi and suffered some mild muscle damage in its wings possibly due to the strong winds. Volunteers found the bird on Monday and brought her to the centre. After taking some time to adjust, she is responding well to the treatment and has begun eating everything she can, he said.
The forest department has been informed and the bird will be released in a day or two.
Masked boobies are found across most tropical oceans but are occasional vagrants to the Western coast of India. “There have been reports of at least five of them being washed ashore in various parts of India including Mumbai and Kerala in the recent past,“ said Dr Shantanu.
Providing details about the bird, he said, the bird is a little under three feet in length and its wingspan is a little over five feet and can dive from distances of over 90 feet. The species is also known as masked gannet, blue-faced booby, white booby-for its plumage, and whistling booby-for its distinctive call, although the bird at the centre brays like a donkey.
Range Forest Officer Prabhakar Kulal said the bird is expected to be released on Friday, depending on its health.