Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary newsletter "FlyFree" | Spring-Summer 2012

| 1 | Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary Newsletter “FlyFree” | Spring-Summer 2012

SUNCOAST SEABIRD SANCTUARY | SPRING-SUMMER 2012

Sanctuary “Permanently Crippled’ PelicansProduce Bumper Crop of Babies in 2012

SUNCOAST SEABIRD SANCTUARY | SPRING-SUMMER 2012

INSIDE

• ALetterfromRalphHeath

• EfroymsonFundGift ForEducationCenterNaming

• FunFactsAboutPelicans

• DolphinLandingsHostBenefit &VolunteerCruises

• 5thGraderRaises$220for theSeabirdSanctuary

INSIDE

• ALetterfromRalphHeath

• EfroymsonFundGift ForEducationCenterNaming

• FunFactsAboutPelicans

• DolphinLandingsHostBenefit &VolunteerCruises

• 5thGraderRaises$220for theSeabirdSanctuary


From Ralph Heath Founder & Director, Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

From one bird, our Sanctuary bloomed.

Driving home from Christmas shopping in late 1971, I found a limping cormorant on the roadside. After treatment by a local vet, I took the bird – whom I named Maynard, home with me in Indian Shores to recuperate.

Soon the word got around that the Heath residence was the place to bring a sick or injured bird. I then got the necessary permits to possess and care for wild land and sea birds, including threatened and emdamgered species. Local bait shops donated fresh fish, and we set up a hospital in our recreation room.

Due to the exorbitant cost of feeding and maintaining the birds, with the help of family and a few good friends, the non-profit Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary was born 40 years ago in 1972 at our current site, and within four years we had more than 400 birds. From the start, we were set up to immediately triage, stabilize, and administer fluids to malnourished or injured birds.

Today, we are the largest wild bird hospital and bird sanctuary in the United States,

Ralph Heath

based on the admission of up to 8,000 birds per year. Our mission has remained the same as when we opened: dedicated to the rescue, repair and rehabilitation of injured birds and then their release back into nature. At the same time, there are more than 600 “permanent residents” living at the Sanctuary, who are too injured for release into the wild.

From our start, some in the scientific community felt that permanently crippled birds were of no value and should be euthanized, and that I was interfering with natural selection. My response was simple: Man-made monofilament line and fishhooks have nothing to do with natural selection. These birds deserve to live!

With your continuing help as volunteers, and with your donations to the Sanctuary, we will fulfill our goal to educate the public about wildlife and the environment for another 40 years.

Consider Planned Giving Planned gifts benefit you and your chil-dren and the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. How? By selecting the right planned giv-ing vehicle, you can reduce your estate and income taxes, maximize the financial and tax benefits of your gift, and make a larger gift than you ever thought pos-sible. Call us or ask your estate planner to contact us to learn more: 727-392-4291.

18328 Gulf BoulevardIndian Shores, Florida 33785-2097(727) 391-6211 · Fax (727) 399-2923www.SeabirdSanctuary.com

OPEN 7 Days a Week 365 Days a Year

9:00 AM Until Sunset Bring your camera and come face-to-beak with some of Florida’s most beautiful birds!

FREE ADMISSION!Donations are greatly appreciated!

Visit our gift shop or shop online atwww.SeabirdSanctuary.com

FLYFREE STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Pamela Cheryl-Dobyns

Writer: Steve TraimanCover and Lead Story

Photography: Jennifer Hale

The Sanctuary is always a FlyFree zone.

$25,000 Efroymson Fund Gift For Education Center NamingThe Efroymson Education Center will be officially dedicated in May with a plaque recognizing a most generous $25,000 naming donation from the Efroymson Family Fund through the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) based in Indianapolis.

In accepting the donation for the Sanctuary, Operations Manager Micki Eslick said, “Since the Education Center opened in late 2008, it has been used for exhibits about our various seabirds, and a closed-loop educational video about our history and the volunteer activity that preserves and protects our wild birds.

“The donation will make it possible to help us further our educational goals by adding new materials and exhibits, and redoing the video to bring it up to date on more recent Sanctuary activities.” The Efroymson Family Fund is one of hundreds of funds and foundations administered by CICF, Indiana’s largest

and oldest community foundation. CICF transforms Central Indiana by supporting donors, family foundations and their advisors; awarding grants for effective not-for-profits; and providing leadership to address community needs and seize opportunities.

Speaking for the CICF and the Efroymson Family Fund, Brian Payne, President and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation said, “This gift is but one of many examples of the Efroymson family’s long-standing commitment to conservation and their love of nature. The family has played a vital role at CICF for generations, and has, from the beginning, been a leader in their stewardship of the environment we all share.”

Established by Dan and Lori Efroymson in 1998 with a gift of $90 million to CICF, it is one of the largest donor-advised

Sanctuary ToursPublic Tours

Call for schedule (727) 391-6211

Private Group ToursPrivate group tours for eight (8) or more are available Monday through Saturday.

Reservations are required.

—Continued on page 5.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary Newsletter “FlyFree” | Spring-Summer 2012 | 3 |

“Back in the early 1970’s, the Ornithological Scientific Community said that our permanently crippled Pelicans residing at the Sanctuary would never breed in captivity,” Founder and Director Ralph Heath recalls. “But there was one problem—they forgot to talk to the Pelicans!

“In 1975, two of our favorite resident Pelicans—Alexis and Salty—produced the first egg that produced our first Baby Brown Pelican. As far as we could determine, this was the first Brown Pelican hatched in captivity anywhere in the World!

“Since 1975, approximately 1,000 Baby Pelicans have hatched and fledged from the Sanctuary. As of February, for the Winter Breeding Season we had 29 hatched Pelicans and nine eggs incubating under parent Pelicans.

The final total for 2012 is 60 Baby Pelicans.“The Sanctuary staff has to keep the parent Pelicans well fed so they, in turn, can keep the babies well fed. The babies will, of course, be released when they can fly. Needless to say, our fish bills have dramatically escalated! When the baby Pelicans fledge, we want them to be healthy and strong.”

Just in time for this year’s pelican nesting season, St. Petersburg-based Retro Elevators, a provider of custom cabs, elevator interior finishes and elevator entrances, used their wood and metal-working capabilities to create new perches. The newly built perches used upgraded materials such as marine-grade lumber, galvanized hardware and reinforced legs.

“We were very pleased to help the Sanctuary and the pelicans with these

Sanctuary “Permanently Crippled’ PelicansProduce Bumper Crop of Babies in 2012

new perches,” the company’s Andy Melendez says.

Retro Elevators provides and installs finishes on site, ships them in a modular package for installation by others, at the Retro facilities, or provides an entire cab. The company also updates lobby elevator door frames using a variety of finishes including brass, stainless steel, wood veneers, plastic laminates or custom metal etching.

Heath concludes, “If you wish to see baby Pelicans, visit the Sanctuary to get a close up look at them. We have daily tours Monday thru Friday and also our gift shop is open seven days a week. So, make sure you bring your cameras and tell all your friends. Any additional volunteer help or donations you can provide at this time will be greatly appreciated by the Pelicans, and our hard-working staff!” n

Back in the early 1970’s, the Ornithological Scientific Community said that permanently crippled Pelicans would never breed in captivity. No one told the Pelicans!

By Steve Traiman


Dan Peretz has been known simply as “Captain Dan” since he started his first charter business in 1972 in St. Pete Beach. Over the past 40 years, he has built a successful Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center at Dolphin Village shopping center launched in 1986, and was the long-time president of the Dolphin Village Merchants Association until it closed down about five years ago.

Last October, Dolphin Landings hosted a very successful Mix & Mingle Benefit Cruise for the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary aboard the 65-foot vessel Island Time, and this January had a special “Thank You” cruise for Sanctuary volunteers.

“Having been a resident on the Gulf Beaches since 1971,” Captain Dan said, “I’ve been a fan of the Seabird Sanctuary since day one! We have regularly called on their volunteers to assist with injured birds, as well as responded to their needs in providing a vessel to get to an injured bird. I’ve always admired and appreciated what Ralph put together along with his ‘Army’ of volunteers. It was when a close personal friend, Pam Dobyns, got associated with the Seabird Sanctuary that we started developing a closer relationship.”

Fun Facts About Pelicans

Courtesy of the San Diego Zoo and “Wild Florida”/WPBT Channel 2

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is home to American White Pelicans and Brown Pelicans, two of the eight species that include Great White Pelicans, Pink-backed Pelicans, Dalmatian Pelicans, Peruvian Pelicans, Spot-billed Pelicans and Australian Pelicans.

The Brown Pelican can fly up to 30 mph and sight a fish when flying at heights up to 70 feet; then dives headfirst into the water to catch the fish, with air sacs under their skin cushioning the impact of hitting the water.

The American White Pelican is a group fisher, with four to five swimming side by side, gliding quietly in a semicircle facing the shore. Then, with much wing flapping and water splashing, they drive fish ahead of them toward the shore. Once in shallow water, it’s easy for the pelicans to scoop them up in their bills.

Pelicans are an old family of birds, with fossils dating back almost 40 million years!

Gulls often sit on pelicans’ heads, trying to steal a meal when the pelicans open their bills slightly to empty out the water.

The lower half of a pelican’s enormous bill, to which its pouch is attached, in addition to fish can hold up to 3 gallons of water, which is two to three times more than can be held in its stomach!

The unique pouch is also helpful in warm weather: While roosting in the hot sun, pelicans will open their bills and flap the pouch to cool off.

A group of pelicans is called a pod.

Pelicans can be found on all continents except Antarctica

Unlike most birds, which warm their eggs with the skin of their breasts, male and female pelicans take turns incubating their eggs with their feet, holding the eggs under the webs that stretch from the front toes to the hind toe — standing on the eggs to warm them.

Male pelicans are called cocks and females are called hens. n

‘Captain Dan’ & Dolphin Landings Host Mix & Mingle and Volunteer Cruises

“The Mix & Mingle Benefit Cruise sold out with 70-plus tickets,” Dobyns noted, “and we had a waiting line at the dock office the day of the event. Volunteers came from Dolphin Landings and the Sanctuary. Pre-show in the parking lot featured Lightning Jack Steel Drum music, Remy’s Segway demonstrations, educational birds (George the White Pelican and Magoo the Eastern Screech Owl), and Sanctuary gift shop items for sale.”

Chinese raffle items and door prizes included Restaurant Gift Certificates from Buona Pizza, Billy’s Stone Crab & Seafood, Lu Nello, Foxy’s Café, Dukes Island Bar & Grill, Su Ottavo, Pass-A-Taco and Ice Cream for 2; plus Beach Theatre, two tickets; Paradise Sweets, Freshly Roasted Coffee; Tosti’s Spirits & Fine Wines, Alcohol Infused Whipped; Sanctuary gift shop, Coffee Mugs & Seabird Visors; Lauren Smith of L. Smith Studio, Hand embellished, limited edition, Giclee on canvas; and Scentsy Wickless Candles, Flameless Candle & Warmer.

Other Gift Certificates were donated by Dolphin Landings, Sunset Sail for 2; Lou’s Florist & Wine Garden; Salsa Rivera Dance Studio, Dance Lessons for 2; Paddle Board for 2; Caribbean Duck Boat Tours; Remy’s Segway.

Captain Dan of Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center (left) with Robin Vergara of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (right).

—Continued on page 5.


Sanctuary volunteers getting some well deserved R&R aboard the Dolphin Landings’ yatch Island Time.

Food sponsors were Sweetbay Market on Blind Pass Road and Bayou Catering; entertainment by Curtis Allen, acoustic guitar and vocals: Lightning Jack, steel drums; and Geoff Williams, magician and sleight of hand artist; print sponsors ARC and Extreme Signage; and Whimzee Wineware and Scentsy Wickless Candles donated a percentage of their proceeds.

“The Volunteer Cruise was the result of our wanting to give something back to the volunteers who worked so tirelessly for the Seabird Sanctuary,” Captain Dan recalled. “Pam got me in touch with Robin Vergara, the Sanctuary’s Volunteer Coordinator, and everything came together very nicely.

“The evening cruise aboard our Island Time on Boca Ciega Bay was a way to say thank you to the Sanctuary volunteers who dedicate so much of their spare time to help rescue, rehabilitate, feed, care for and release injured birds.

“We scheduled the cruise for the end of January, just before the start of baby bird season, a very busy time for the Sanctuary, and the tourism season, also a busy time for Dolphin Landings.”

Robin noted, “More than two dozen of our volunteers came aboard, with pizza and soft drinks provided, along with some small but fun door prizes. “It’s important

to show appreciation for our volunteers that work behind the scenes to provide day to day care for the birds and often go unrecognized. We couldn’t exist without their incredible dedication and passion for the birds. All of our volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and the chance to relax together and have some fun outside of work. It’s the support of community businesses like Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center that really make a difference in helping the Sanctuary fulfill its mission. Captain Dan is a generous supporter and we appreciate the enthusiasm he and his crew showed for the volunteers to make sure they had a great experience on the cruise.”

Robin officially joined the Sanctuary as Volunteer Coordinator in October 2011 after several years working with nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and in operations management. He sees his key role as raising awareness in the community about the Sanctuary’s role by recruiting and educating volunteers about caring for injured birds and injury prevention: “The more people we are able to educate, the more awareness spreads about what we can do to prevent injury to birds in the wild. It’s a critical time of year for the Sanctuary now as we enter baby bird season when we depend on extra volunteers more than ever.” An area resident since 2009, Vergara comes from an operations management and nonprofit background in North Carolina and New Orleans. n

Dolphin Landings — continued from page 4 Sanctuary Needs

Financial Contributions

Items• Cars, trucks and boats• Stainless steel scrub pads • Scotch-BriteTM Scrub Sponge• Laundry detergent (all kinds)• Heating pads without auto shut-off• Liquid bleach• Newspapers• Power tools• Garden hoses• Long-handle deck brushes• Mulch (red or tan)• Ground sprinklers (non-oscillating)• Wheelbarrows• Kennels (all sizes)• Scaffolding

Volunteers• Rescuers• Bird Caregivers• Docents• Maintenance workers• Fundraisers

funds in the United States. Since then it has awarded more than $60 million to not-for-profit organizations in Central Indiana and beyond. It is focused on providing support to organizations that help promote the viability of communities and provide underserved individuals access to opportunities. The Sanctuary donation is the result of the Fund’s interest in organizations that address the Natural Environment, through efforts that enable the public to enjoy the natural environment, primarily through greenways, trails, and nature preserves like the Sanctuary.

For the family, Lori Efroymson-Aguilera said, “The Fund brings us great joy and satisfaction. It unites our family in a mission to support people and places. I have found that helping others is a reward in itself, and I appreciate the opportunity to give to what we believe in and care about.” n

Education Center Named—continued from page 2

NEW GIFTS at the Sanctuary Gift Shop!shop.seabirdsanctuary.com


Your Name: ______________________________________________ Email: ________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________ City/State/ZIP: __________________________

Check Visa/MC/Discover____________________________ Exp: _______ Phone:_____________________

By adopting your favorite bird species, you will be sponsoring the feeding, care and shelter of your favorite feathered friend. You can adopt a bird for yourself, or you can give an Adopt-A-Bird as a gift. If for any reason your chosen bird departs the Sanctuary, we will assign you another bird of the same species. When you you purchase an Adopt-A-Bird, you are always welcome to visit it at the Sanctuary, but federal and state laws prohibit the removal of any of our wild birds from the Sanctuary.

ADOPTIVE PARENTS RECEIVE: An Adoption Certificate • 4" x 6" color photo of your adopted bird • Species fact sheet Bookmark or Sanctuary sticker • Personalized thank-you letter • Subscription to our newsletter • Visit any day of the year!

Bird of Prey per month $ 18.00Large Waterbirds per month $ 17.00Pelicans per month $ 16.00Small Waterbirds per month $ 10.00Small Land Birds per month $ 10.00

Classroom Educational Adoption $95.00 INCLUDES: Information for each student student, including a photo, on-site tour, name in newsletter or on website, and regular updates on bird (please call)

Would your class like to help raise money for the Sanctuary? Please call us at (727) 391-6211.

Please make out check and mail entire form to: Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL 33785-2097For more information, call 727-392-4291. Visit our website at www.SeabirdSanctuary.com.

Today’s Date: _____________ Deliver by: ______________________ TOTAL ENCLOSED:

Senior (65+) $ 20.00Individual $ 30.00Associate $ 35.00Family $ 60.00Sponsor $ 150.00Patron $ 300.00Rescue Volunteer Sponsor $ 495.00Silver Benefactor* $ 550.00Gold Benefactor* $1,000.00 Corporate Benefactor* $1,000.00 EACH MEMBER & SPONSOR RECEIVES:

- Membership card & personalized thank you letter- Subscription to our newsletter- Sanctuary sticker or bookmark- 10% discount on all gift shop items

*Silver, Gold & Corporate Sponsors receive a plaque

Memorial Tree Plaque (4" X 6") $ 500.00 Tiki Hut Plaque (4" X 6") $ 500.00Tiki Hut Plaque (7" x 9") $ 1000.00Bench & Plaque $ 1,000.00Memory Lane Plaque $ 250.00Garden of Distinction:q Bronze $250.00 q Silver $500.00 q Gold $1,000.00

Memorial Brick $ 250.00Hospital Benefactor Wall (1" x 3") $ 250.00Hospital Benefactor Wall (3" x 5") $ 350.00Avian Cage Plaque (call please) $ 1,500.00

Memberships & Sponsorships Memorials & Plaques

- Plaques mounted on the avian compounds are made of gray Corian. All other plaques are made of black UV plastic with white lettering.

- Please see our website for more details: SeabirdSanctuary.com- Please provide plaque information on a separate piece of paper,

in block letters, and send in with application form.

Gift to: _______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________

City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Occasion: ____________________

THESE MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

Adopt-A-Bird

Payment Options

BE A BIRD’S BEST FRIEND Become a Sanctuary Supporter Today!

Trusts & Bequests Please send me information on how to add the Sanctuary to my trust or will.


BY SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA Times Correspondent

INDIAN SHORES — The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary got a welcome infusion of cash recently from a surprising source.The $100,000 check was from the Embassy of Qatar in Washington, D.C. Ralph Heath, a local zoologist who founded the sanctuary in 1971, picked up the check in person from Ambassador Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al-Rumaihi. “He was very gracious and we spent two hours in his office,’’ Heath said. “I could tell they love birds and animals.” He said the donation was totally unexpected. More than a year ago, at the urging of a friend in the State Department, Heath wrote to the Qatar ambassador, asking for help in the sanctuary’s effort to provide a safe place for rescued birds during a hurricane. “I didn’t know them, but knew that people in the Middle East love birds and have a 2,000-year history of falconry,’’ Heath said. “I also knew Qatar has a close relationship with the U.S.” He didn’t hear anything back and forgot about the letter. Then, just a few weeks ago, he got a call from the embassy saying there was a check waiting for him. Heath promptly went to Washington, accompanied by a baby pelican born at the sanctuary. “This donation will go a long way in providing crucial supplies and shelter for the birds we treat,” Heath said. The money will be used primarily to strengthen a shelter in Largo that the organization uses as temporary evacuation headquarters for birds during hurricane events. “We have had to evacuate twice in recent years,’’ Heath said. “When we thought Hurricane Charley was headed our way in 2004, we moved every single bird from the sanctuary. It was not easy.” Most of the $100,000 from Qatar will be used to strengthen the Largo shelter’s roof and windows, he said, a project he expects to be completed in about a month.

Ralph Heath, right, shows Qatar Ambassador Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al-Rumaihi a baby pelican born recently at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Heath, founder of the sanctuary, visited the Qatar Embassy in Washington, D.C., to receive a $100,000 donation.

A busy sanctuaryThe Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, treats more than 9,000 injured birds each year. An average of between 23 and 30 wild birds are admitted to the sanctuary’s hospital each day. More than 159 species have been treated at the facility.The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary was the first to breed then-endangered eastern brown pelicans in captivity. Today, the sanctuary includes emergency facilitieis, a surgical center, bird injury recovery areas, outdoor will bird recuperation and flight cages.The sanctuary is open to the public from 9 a.m. until dark, daily at no charge.

F L O R I D A’ S B E S T N E W PA P E R W E D N E S D AY, M AY 2 , 2 0 1 2 | 7 5 ¢

Sanctuary gets $100,000 from Quatar

The money will also be used to buy emergency medical supplies and fuel for generators to keep fish and other items refrigerated during power outages. Heath said that recently the sanctuary had an “explosion” of dozens of pelicans born there, some from permanently injured birds who cannot return to the wild and many from pelicans who were treated and released in the past and now return to nest. The organization’s annual budget is over a $1 million and is dependent entirely on donations, which slowed the past few years. “It’s always a struggle to keep the bills paid,” he said.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

FAST FACTS


Nonprofit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 105

ST. PETERSBURG, FL

18328 GULF BOULEVARDINDIAN SHORES, FLORIDA 33785-2097

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Molly O’Neill, a fifth grader at Sunset Hills Elementary in Tarpon Springs, first visited the Sanctuary about two years ago and adopted a Snowy Egret. “I loved the place so much and loved that they were trying to save birds, which are one of my favorite animals,” she says. “I knew I wanted to help out somehow but didn’t know how.

“This year in my gifted program at Sunset Hills my teacher assigned us to do a charitable project and I instantly thought ‘Seabird Sanctuary!’ After contacting Pam Dobyns, the Sanctuary Marketing Director, who endorsed my project and gave me a bunch of Sanctuary brochures, I then had to figure out how to raise my goal of $150. I thought of selling our household items at a garage sale, but my neighborhood is so quiet that nobody would even know about the sale.

“My parents were very supportive and looked into buying a spot at the Oldsmar Flea Market for a day. I got really excited when they decided to rent two seven-foot tables for only $15. I got to work right away by looking through my

unwanted clothing, books, stuffed animals and jewelry.

“I then came up with a sign that has pictures of unhealthy birds and some powerful words:

For the Birds - We speak for them! Get to know them and be their friend. They have as much right to live on this planet as you do. Make the right choices! All proceeds go to the “Seabird Sanctuary.” Donations to save bird lives are welcomed.

“When the day of the market came, we got there at about 8:30 to start setting up and at 9:00 people were streaming in looking at my table of stuff. About one-fifth of the stuff sold in the first hour or so. By about noon I had already reached my goal and at the end of the day I had $220 to present to the Seabird Sanctuary!

5th Grader Molly O’Neill

Raises $220 for the Sanctuary

“It made me very happy that my donation will be used to help with food and medication shortages in the Sanctuary hospital that treats so many sick and injured birds. I would be delighted to do it again.”

“We’re very proud of Molly,” her mother Maggie says, “as she took the initiative, came up with the fund-raising idea and made a great sign to get donations. We all love the Sanctuary but Molly really showed us how to say thanks to all the staff and volunteers who do so much for our injured and sick birds.”

Speaking for the Sanctuary, Dobyns says, “Molly is a very special young lady and an inspiration. She wanted to do something to help these beautiful birds and she made a difference.” n

Molly (right) hands Ralph a check for $220.

Documents

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary newsletter "FlyFree" | Spring-Summer 2012