Precious wetland jewels from our San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve field observations. © Wildlife Jewels® by Azi Sharif
✨ World Wetlands Day 2026 spotlighting our Jewels of San Elijo Lagoon ✨
Sharing a few magical moments from our wildlife observation + monitoring—precious “wetland jewels” whose lives depend on these habitats.
Wetlands support wildlife, clean water, and resilient coastlines—and California has lost over 90% of its historic wetlands. Let’s protect what remains. 💙
Theme: Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage.
🌎 Action: Join our EYES observation + monitoring program and help protect our magical wetlands jewels across Orange County and San Diego County.
What is World Wetlands Day?
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on February 2 to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for people, wildlife, and the planet. It is an official United Nations International Day, recognized by the UN General Assembly to highlight the vital role wetlands play in a sustainable future.
Learn more from the United Nations: World Wetlands Day
Take action with Wildlife Jewels
• Join the Wildlife Jewels® EYES™ Collective to spot • document • report hazards and distressed wildlife.
• Become a wildlife Ambassador (Student Volunteer) for art-education & outreach. Apply HERE.
• Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew (training required).
Precious wetland jewels from our San Elijo Lagoon field observations (2025-2026).
© Wildlife Jewels® by Azi Sharif
Rhinos have walked our planet for millions of years, playing a vital role in the wild landscapes they inhabit. Yet today, three of the world’s five rhino species are Critically Endangered.
Celebrate World Shorebirds Day with Wildlife Jewels at Crystal Cove State Park and discover Willets, Whimbrels, Black Turnstones, Marbled Godwits, and the coastal habitats shorebirds depend on.
Celebrate California Wildlife Day, National Hummingbird Day, and California Biodiversity Day while raising awareness of the urgent need to protect every individual wild animal and the habitats they depend on.
Discover why Antarctic krill are vital to the Southern Ocean food web and how protecting krill helps penguins, whales, seals, seabirds, and other wildlife.
Celebrate World Seabird Day with Wildlife Jewels and learn how field monitoring, rescue support, and conservation help protect California's remarkable seabirds.
Celebrate World Seabird Day with Wildlife Jewels and learn how field monitoring, rescue support, and conservation help protect California's remarkable seabirds.
Today is World Albatross Day.
Last year, during Southern California’s seabird crisis, Wildlife Jewels had the opportunity to document a precious Laysan Albatross receiving expert care at Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center after potentially suffering from domoic acid poisoning.
On October 26, Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew responded to a Western Gull in critical condition at Point La Jolla. The third similarly distressed gull documented in the area within a month, this rescue underscores the importance of continuous coastal wildlife monitoring and rapid response.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescued four distressed seabirds in La Jolla and Cardiff on October 26, amid Southern California's ongoing seabird crisis.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescued four distressed seabirds in La Jolla and Cardiff on October 26, amid Southern California's ongoing seabird crisis.
On October 12, a beautiful Brown Pelican was found disoriented at a machine shop in National City, California, after reportedly colliding with a fence. Concerned community members contacted wildlife rescue services seeking help for the distressed bird.
Discover Ruby's magical Western Gull rescue on the San Diego coast, her recovery at Shalom Wildlife Hospital, and heartwarming reunion with her parents.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew found and rescued a distressed juvenile Brown Booby from La Jolla Cove cliffs after a two-day search and coordinated wildlife rescue effort.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew responded to a stranded Western Grebe and transported the bird for emergency care as distressed and deceased grebes are found along the Southern California coast.
Wildlife Jewels continues to document seabird entanglements in La Jolla, particularly at Point La Jolla, as birds face fishing gear and other pressures.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescues a distressed cormorant from below the wall at Point La Jolla and transports the bird for emergency wildlife veterinary care.
💔 We’re devastated to see another Western Gull fledgling entangled in fishing gear in La Jolla. On August 10, we documented Beryl, a young Western Gull entangled in fishing line and a large lure. Despite days of searching, we were unable to find her again
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew found and responded to a Pelagic Cormorant in distress during a Search Scout survey in La Jolla, helping the bird reach emergency veterinary care.
Follow the remarkable rescue of an entangled Brown Pelican at Crystal Cove, from fishing-gear injuries through rehabilitation to his return to the wild.
After weeks of documenting entangled seabirds at Point La Jolla, a precious Brandt’s Cormorant finally became reachable. Meet Azurite and follow her journey from fishing gear entanglement to rescue and a second chance.
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew rescued a Brandt’s Cormorant entangled in fishing gear at La Jolla Cove and transported the bird to wildlife rehabilitation for care.
Wildlife Jewels is searching for Beryl, a recently fledged Western Gull in La Jolla with fishing line and a lure wrapped around her beak. Learn how to report a sighting.
Wildlife Jewels continues monitoring injured harbor seal pup Kyanite at La Jolla's Children's Pool. Giving her space to haul out could provide a chance for rescue.
Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in one day at Point La Jolla. Learn about this growing seabird entanglement crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.
Wildlife Jewels® documented Blue-Banded Brown Pelican 429 during a Point La Jolla Search Scout survey, helping track the bird's recovery after rehabilitation.
During our EYES field surveys at Children’s Pool, we have continued observing the same injured harbor seal pup since June 28. She has a deep wound near her left shoulder/front flipper and appears to have difficulty moving.
During our EYES Children’s Pool survey yesterday, Wildlife Jewels documented a precious seal pup with a concerning open wound on the left neck/shoulder area.
Wildlife Jewels documented a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line in La Jolla before SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescued her. Learn how discarded fishing gear threatens marine wildlife.
A California Brown Pelican in distress at San Marcos High School was safely rescued through coordinated efforts between Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, San Diego Humane Society, and SeaWorld Rescue.
Thank you to everyone who attended a recent Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew training session at La Jolla Shores.
🚨 California Brown Pelicans need your help
California Brown Pelicans need your help. A concerning number have recently been found distressed along our coast, and other seabirds, including cormorants, are affected as well.
🚨 ENTANGLED WILDLIFE ALERT — La Jolla Cove 🚨
During our recent EYES wildlife monitoring at La Jolla Cove, we documented two entangled Brandt’s cormorants within ~2 feet of each other—including clearly visible rope/line. 💔
We’ve launched a neighborhood group for the La Jolla community to share local wildlife rescue resources and guidance specific to our coastline.
Wildlife Jewels Shine Spotlight of the week!
Meet Opal, a precious Greater Roadrunner we recently had the delight of observing at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve.
Wildlife Jewels World Wetlands Day Walk: A precious California Brown Pelican at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Wildlife Jewels’s Explore Wildlife Days: Discovering the Majesty of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 with Wildlife Jewels! Discover Paraíba the rescued Common Loon and our new USFWS migratory bird transport permit.