Release of Western Gull fledgeling, October 2026. Photo Courtesy: Ben Johnson
A Magical Western Gull Rescue: Ruby's Extraordinary Family Reunion on the San Diego Coast
From a tiny egg to a breathtaking reunion with her parents, one precious Western Gull's journey became an unforgettable story of hope, determination, rescue, and second chances.
Some wildlife stories stay in our hearts forever.
This is the story of Ruby, a beautiful young Western Gull whose life Wildlife Jewels had followed since she was just an egg along the magnificent San Diego coast.
We watched her hatch, grow, and discover the world under the watchful care of her parents. We celebrated her milestones and marveled at the extraordinary bond between this little gull and her family.
But one day, everything changed.
What followed was a challenging three-day rescue effort, six days of recovery at a wildlife hospital, and a magical family reunion we will never forget.
A Precious Life We've Watched Since She Was an Egg
Through Wildlife Jewels' EYES® monitoring program, we observe and document coastal wildlife, learning about their lives, behaviors, and the challenges they face in their natural habitats.
Among the many birds we monitored was one very special Western Gull.
From her earliest days as an egg, we followed her remarkable journey. We watched her hatch into a tiny chick, grow into a beautiful fledgling, and become increasingly independent while remaining close to her parents.
Every observation brought another precious glimpse into her life.
To us, she wasn't simply another gull along the coast. She was an individual whose story we had come to know.
And because we knew her, we recognized when something was terribly wrong.
Until One Day, Everything Changed… 💔
During a Wildlife Jewels EYES monitoring survey along the San Diego coast, Wildlife Jewels founder and Executive Director Dr. Azi Sharif discovered that our beloved young gull was seriously ill.
She was coughing, gagging, and regurgitating food. Her condition was deeply concerning, and she needed professional veterinary attention.
Yet despite her illness, she could still fly.
This made rescuing her particularly challenging.
Our Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew began a determined effort to locate and safely rescue her.
For three days, we continued searching, observing, and coordinating rescue efforts, knowing how important it was to help her without causing unnecessary stress or placing her at greater risk.
Finally, on October 7, our efforts succeeded.
Our precious young gull was safely rescued! 💙
After watching her grow from the very beginning, seeing her so vulnerable was heartbreaking. But now, she had a chance.
Six Days of Recovery at Shalom Wildlife Hospital
Following her rescue and an overnight stay with Wildlife Jewels, our young gull was transported to Shalom Wildlife Hospital, where she received professional wildlife rehabilitation care under the direction of Dr. Erica Ellis.
Over the next six days, her recovery brought wonderful news.
Her coughing resolved. Her appetite returned. She began eating well again and gained approximately 60 grams.
Day by day, the little gull who had been struggling was growing stronger.
Meanwhile, Wildlife Jewels continued monitoring her parents along the coast.
They were still there.
And we hoped that when their precious fledgling returned, they would reunite.
Because our greatest wish wasn't simply to see her healthy again.
We wanted her to go home.
Back to the Wild: A Magical Family Reunion!
On October 13, 2026, after six days of recovery, the moment we had been waiting for finally arrived.
Our precious Western Gull was ready to return to the wild.
Shalom Wildlife Hospital and Wildlife Jewels coordinated her release along the San Diego coast, where we had followed her life since she was an egg.
As the carrier opened, our young gull emerged and took flight.
And then, something truly magical happened.
She reunited with her parents!
After days apart, our precious gull was finally back with the family who had raised and cared for her.
The reunion unfolded before our eyes, a beautiful moment of connection, belonging, and hope.
One particularly touching photograph captured the young gull and one of her parents gently touching beaks.
For those of us who had watched her grow from the beginning, it was an unforgettable moment.
She was home.
Home Again. Together Again. 💙
Meet Ruby: A Precious Jewel 💎
Following her successful release and extraordinary reunion with her parents, Wildlife Jewels lovingly named this beautiful Western Gull “Ruby.”
We gave her this name after she returned to the wild, to celebrate her remarkable journey and the precious life we had watched grow, struggle, recover, and reunite with her family.
Like the gemstone, Ruby represents something extraordinary and irreplaceable.
At Wildlife Jewels, we believe that every wild animal thriving in its natural habitat is more precious than any gemstone.
And Ruby's story is a beautiful reminder of that belief.
She is one of the precious living jewels of the San Diego coast.
Why Wildlife Monitoring and Rescue Matter
Ruby's journey illustrates the powerful connection between long-term wildlife monitoring, timely rescue, and professional wildlife rehabilitation.
Through our EYES® program, Wildlife Jewels observes and documents wildlife in their natural habitats, including changes in behavior, signs of distress, and human-caused threats.
Through our Rescue Crew program, we coordinate field searches, safe containment, and authorized transport of migratory birds to appropriate wildlife care facilities.
Because we had followed Ruby's life over time, we recognized that her behavior was unusual and concerning.
Because our volunteers continued searching, she had an opportunity to receive help.
And because she received professional rehabilitation care, she was able to return to the wild.
Every observation matters. Every bird matters. Every life is precious.
With Gratitude 💙
Ruby's rescue and extraordinary reunion were made possible through the dedication and collaboration of people who care deeply about wildlife.
We extend our gratitude to Dr. Erica Ellis and Shalom Wildlife Hospital for providing professional rehabilitation care and helping prepare our young gull for her return to the wild.
We are also grateful to our Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew volunteers for their dedication throughout the search and rescue, and to all the compassionate community reporters who supported her journey.
Special thanks to the photographers who captured these beautiful moments, helping us share Ruby's story and inspire others to appreciate and protect wildlife.
Together, we helped give one precious young bird a second chance.
Watch Ruby's Magical Rescue and Family Reunion
From a tiny egg to an extraordinary family reunion, experience Ruby's remarkable journey in our Wildlife Jewels rescue film.
Help Us Protect More Precious Lives Like Ruby’s
Wildlife Jewels® is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife from human-caused threats through art, science, technology, education, observation, rescue, and community collaboration.
Along the Southern California coast, seabirds face serious challenges, including fishing-gear entanglements, injuries, illness, habitat disturbances, and other threats.
Through our EYES® and Rescue Crew programs, we work to identify wildlife in distress, respond within our authorized scope, and help vulnerable birds receive the care they need.
Your support helps us continue wildlife monitoring, search and rescue operations, and community education to protect our precious coastal wildlife.
Together, we can protect more precious lives and create more stories of hope.
Our wildlife rescue efforts rely on generous donations from supporters like you. Help us save more birds in need!
💙 Support Wildlife Jewels Rescue: https://wildlifejewels.org/donate
🪽 Report Wildlife in Distress: https://wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
Why Search Scout Surveys Matter
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew Search Scouts help identify wildlife in distress through regular field observations along Southern California's coastline.
These surveys are an important part of our early detection and rescue response efforts, allowing us to:
Identify injured, sick, entangled, or distressed wildlife.
Document observations and monitor animals requiring follow-up.
Coordinate appropriate rescue responses with authorized personnel and wildlife rehabilitation partners.
Help wildlife in need reach professional care when rescue is possible.
Through our EYES® wildlife observation program and Rescue Crew, Wildlife Jewels connects field monitoring with coordinated action to protect wildlife from threats along our coast.
Release and reunion of Western Gull fledgeling with her family, October 2026. Photo Courtesy: Ben Johnson
Learn about Wildlife Jewels EYES and ways you can get involved!
Learn about Wildlife Jewels Rescue and ways you can help!
Meet Opal the Western Gull
Meet Opal, the Western Gull chick, when she was just about a week old. 🤍
We’ve spent countless hours in the field observing and helping protect Opal and her family since she was still an egg. This photograph was taken in June 2026. 💜
Watching Opal grow from a tiny chick into the beautiful fledgling she is today has been incredibly special—and a reminder of why every effort to protect vulnerable wildlife matters.
Opal is now one of the precious wild lives featured in our Jewels of La Jolla educational art collection, celebrating the remarkable wildlife that makes this coastline so magical. ✨
Image: Opal, Western Gull chick, June 2026, La Jolla, CA. © Wildlife Jewels® | Photo by Azi Sharif
Wildlife Jewels’ World Ocean Day Wildlife Walk, La Jolla
Observed during our EYES™ Field Day with SDSU MEBSA students: a Western Gull with a concerning beak injury—highlighting the importance of careful observation and reporting.
👀 Join EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life)
Become part of our coastal wildlife monitoring community—learn what to look for, how to observe responsibly, and how to report concerns to help keep birds and other coastal wildlife safe.
Learn more at about ways you can protect coastal wildlife at the Wildlife Jewels Resources Page
🛟 Join the Wildlife Jewel Rescue Crew (observation & reporting only)
Help support local wildlife rescue response by assisting with reporting, coordination, and (for trained, permitted volunteers only, transport support when a bird needs help.)
✨ Together, we can turn wildlife observation into action and help protect the magical Jewels that make our coastline so special.
EYES Community BIRD WALK, National Bird Day JANUARY 2026
Some of the magical Bird Jewels we had the delight of observing included Brandt’s cormorants with their striking turquoise eyes, the adult California brown pelican with sky-blue eyes and a vibrant red throat pouch, and the majestic Black Oystercatcher with its bold orange bill and eye-ring. We also enjoyed the intelligent, charismatic Western gull, the precious Heermann’s gulls, and the elegance of Royal and Elegant terns, crowned with their distinctive head crests.
Photo credit: © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif
We identified an injured Heermann’s gull, documented what we observed, and reported—reminding us that careful monitoring and timely reporting can help save lives. Every wildlife life is precious. 💙 We will share more about her and the other injured wildlife including 2 entangled sea lions that we spotted during our walk through the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog soon.
Wildlife Jewels continues to document seabird entanglements in La Jolla, particularly at Point La Jolla, as birds face fishing gear and other pressures.