More birds being treated by the IBRRC

There are more birds affected by the fuel spill in Unalaska that have been found. They’re now in Anchorage being treated at the International Bird Rescue Research Center.
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On Friday, a horned grebe, pelagic cormorant and two common murres are being tube fed. The solution is pedialite, a fluid used with infants and designed to replace electrolytes.
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Wildlife officials say the birds can easily become dehydrated if they’ve ingested oil, which can cause ulcers. However, they say they’re taking steps when they first capture the birds to lessen the danger to the animal.
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“We're giving them now medication when they get them in the field and that will help heal the ulcers, or at least coat the ulcer so they don't hemorrhage out and they don’t lose fluids that way,” said Mark Russell of the IBRRC.
Once the birds stabilize, they’ll be washed and placed back in the wild in about two weeks.
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As for the two birds brought in earlier, the common murre did not make it. However, the long-tailed duck is now washed and in good shape. The center was expecting another four or five birds Friday, and there are reports from Unalaska that 11 birds are being treated in the field and more have been spotted that are in need of assistance.
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Officials say the fuel spill has killed at least one sea otter and four birds.