ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Western Australian Seabird Rescue is a network of seabird and waterbird rescuers based in coastal south-western Australia. Our main areas of activity are Perth, Shoalwater, Mandurah and Albany. Every year we rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of waterbirds such as herons, swans and ducks, and a huge variety of seabirds including pelicans, cormorants, shearwaters, penguins and albatrosses. Most of the coastal seabirds like pelicans and cormorants we deal with are entangled in fishing line and hooks. The paralysing disease Botulism is common in ducks and pelicans. Big winter storms blow pelagic seabirds such as albatrosses, gannets and giant petrels onto our beaches, while juvenile shearwaters leaving their burrows may be drawn to coastal lighting and crash-land. Penguins coming ashore to moult are brought into care if they are at risk from dogs and foxes.
We have techniques to rescue birds that are injured or entangled but are still able to fly.
View WASR video
OUR CORE OBJECTIVES
1. RESCUE AND REHABILITATE
To rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned seabirds and waterbirds
2. RAISE AWARENESS
3. WORK TOGETHER
To work together with wildlife rehabilitation organisations in WA and around Australia to promote seabird conservation.
WASR COMMITTEE (2024/2025)
Matt Watson
President
Matt has been working in the fishing industry for the past 15 years, with the last 10 of those years focusing on promoting sustainable fishing practices which incorporate solutions that lower the impact fishing can have on the marine environment. Passionate about the marine environment, Matt has been supporting WASR for about three years and volunteering for the past 18 months, supporting rescues around the Freo area. Matt has a Masters in Sustainability and Climate Policy and a BSc in Oceanography and Marine Biology. Outside of work and volunteering, Matt enjoys spending time with his young family and getting outside, either biking, hiking, or kayaking.
Email: president@wasr.org.au
DARRAL HAYNES
Treasurer
Darral is a former Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), now retired. He is currently the Treasurer for Ballajura Senior Citizens Association and works part-time in a financial planning practice. He enjoys playing snooker two mornings a week and helping not-for-profit organisations with their finances.
Email: treasurer@wasr.org.au
Louie Owen
General Member
Louie is semi-retired from Management in Retail; she holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and has been involved in animal care, training, rehabilitation, and release for many years, having worked at Seaworld in South Africa, as well as time spent volunteering at NAR WA and with WASR for over a year now. Louie’s passion for birds, all animals, their health, and well-being, is and always will be a priority of hers. Her hobbies include photographing birds, animals, and wildflowers and enjoying time out in the bush.
BRYN WILLIAMS
General Member
New appointment – Rockingham.
Bio coming soon.
Julie Friend
General Member
New appointment – Albany.
Bio coming soon.
Rachel Olsen
General Member
Rachel has been volunteering with WASR for two years. She has a Bachelor of Biotechnology and Medical Research but enjoys wrangling pelicans! She has worked in animal welfare on the East Coast and has enjoyed learning from our experienced seabird home carers in Perth. Rachel has a passion for our native wildlife, particularly our birds, and you’ll often find her out on the water or hiking trails around the south-west.
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Rescues
Species
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