A Recap from the Wildlife Jewels’ Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup in Corona del Mar!

Wildlife Jewels Earth Day Sweep and Learn for Wildlife walk in Corona Del Mar State Beach, April 27, 2025

Thank you for joining us at the Wildlife Jewels Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup Walk! Your dedication to cleaning the beach and protecting our precious wildlife is so much appreciated.

On Sunday April 27th, Wildlife Jewels organized and hosted a community beach clean-up in Corona Del Mar State Beach. This event was part of our Sweep for Wildlife program from our Ocean Conservation initiative aimed at cleaning the beach and educating the community about our native wildlife, the threats debris poses to their lives, and ways they can contribute to protecting them.

We would like to Thank everyone who joined us at this exciting event in Corona Del Mar!

Your participation has made a significant impact in protecting our invaluable wildlife.

Together, we removed over 50 pounds of harmful debris and discarded fishing gear from the beach—protecting sea life from ingesting or becoming entangled in deadly materials. Every piece of trash we removed helps prevent wildlife from suffering due to tiny plastic fragments, thin wraps, Styrofoam, chocolate, charcoal, bottle caps, chip and candy wrappers, plastic utensils, fishing lines, and plastic film. We also cleared sharp glass pieces hidden in the sand, which could cause injuries to both people and animals.

During our walk, we shared the major threats facing coastal wildlife along Corona del Mar State Beach and how each of us can help. We also talked about the devastating domoic acid crisis affecting sea life—and how we can support wildlife rescue efforts.

One story that touched all of us was that of a “Crystal the Gull”—a resilient gull who resides at Corona del Mar State Beach. She has only one foot which is entangled in a fishing line; the other was lost, likely due to entanglement. Volunteers first noticed her at our December King Tides Cleanup.

And over the past few months, our coastal monitoring has revealed more gulls with missing feet or entangled in fishing lines. These aren’t isolated incidents. Every wildlife matters. And their suffering is a call to action—a powerful reason for us to continue this vital work, together.

Help us save sea life: Explore Wildlife Jewels EYES

Wildlife Jewels® is seeking volunteers and community reporters to help monitor beaches and report distressed Pelicans. Learn how you can get involved and Join the Wildlife Jewels’ EYES Collective Program!

Wildlife Jewels Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife at Corona del Mar State Beach, April 27, 2025

Wildlife Jewels Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife at Corona del Mar State Beach, April 27, 2025

Special Participation by the UCI Anteater Beach Club!

Meet Wildlife Jewels Selenite Crystal the Gull ✨

Selenite Crystal the Gull, April 2025 at CDM State Beach

We first spotted this resilient Gull during our December King Tides cleanup at Corona del Mar State Beach. Crystal is featured in our event flyer—and just last week, we saw her again.

Sadly she’s missing one foot and has the other entangled in a fishing line—a heartbreaking reminder of why our cleanups matter. 

Join us this Sunday for our 2nd Annual Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Walk to help protect Crystal and other precious wildlife from debris like plastic and discarded fishing gear.

Let’s come together to care for our coast and all who call it home. You might even get the chance to see Crystal in person!

Wildlife Jewels® King Tides Sweep & Learn: A Special Encounter with “Selenite Crystal the Gull” December 2024 at Corona del Mar State Beach

Sadly, we also encountered a beautiful Gull who was missing one foot, with the other tightly wrapped in a fishing line. Concerned volunteers observed her at the start of the event. To our surprise, as we wrapped up the cleanup, she flew towards our group, landed nearby, and watched us as if she was asking for help. Witnessing this was a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact marine debris has on our precious wildlife. Over the past few months, we've observed a significant increase in the number of gulls with missing feet and/or entangled in fishing line during our coastal wildlife monitoring efforts. Every animal matters, and it’s a call to action for all of us to help protect them.

One of our dedicated volunteers spotted a precious bird with one missing foot and the other entangled in fishing line.

December 15th 2024, Corona del Mar State Beach

Fishing Gear

Every day, countless seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals suffer injuries or lose their lives due to entanglement in fishing lines and hooks. This includes the tragic consequence of swallowing fishing hooks.

Hooks and lines caught in debris can lead to devastating entanglements for animals, causing injuries to legs, wings, and beaks of birds. A single hook caught in a beak or mouth can be devastating leading to starvation and death.

Thanks to the dedication of our participants, we were able to locate and remove fishing lines and at least one fishing hook during our clean-up in Corona Del Mar. This debris poses a significant threat to seabirds and shorebirds, especially as lines and hooks become ensnared in branches and seaweed along the shoreline— where these birds search for food.

By picking up debris, even just one fishing hook, you are making a difference saving wildlife!