The nonprofit International Bird Rescue released 20 healthy seabirds in the Port of Oakland Wednesday morning after nursing them back to health when were found covered with an unidentified goo in January.
Officials chose to release the birds in Middle Harbor Shoreline Park because of the presence of a protected cove, as well as the site's proximity to where the birds were originally found.
During an 11 a.m. news conference, Russ Curtis, a spokesman for the nonprofit, said some of the birds were collected just 5 miles away.
A few of the birds, including a small eared grebe, stayed in the water near the shore after being released, but most of them took flight and immediately left the area. "That's a good sign," Curtis said. "They're out of here."
"When those guys came in they were covered in goo," he added. "To see the difference is pretty amazing."
Wednesday morning's release brings the number of birds that have been rescued, cleaned up and set free to 101 and Curtis said they hope to release more birds soon. There are 112 still recovering in the nonprofit's care. A total of 493 birds were found covered in the mystery goo and at least 272 of them not survive.
Curtis said scientists continue to work on identifying the substance, but they're still not sure exactly what it was. He described it as being similar to rubber cement.
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The last time anyone found a contaminated bird was Jan. 22, leading some within the nonprofit to hope that the crisis may be nearing an end.
