Animal Activists Launch Emergency Campaign To Save Endangered Birds

Animal welfare activists at the Audubon Society have launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign to help save a flock of rare birds in California, where a huge percentage of the global population of tricolored blackbirds is currently at risk. Fewer than 250,000 of the birds remain alive today, and the fate of 50,000 remains unclear as one Madera County farmer is slated to harvest the field where they are currently nesting. KCET reports that activists are working "feverishly" to get the farmer to delay his harvest:

According to Audubon California, the farmer -- whom the group doesn't identify publicly -- would rather not harvest the wheat field and devastate the nesting tricolored blackbirds, but needs to harvest in order to feed his dairy cattle. The price of feed has spiked lately, due to the state's ongoing severe drought among other factors, and the group says the farmer just can't afford to delay cutting his wheat unless he gets help from outside sources.

That's why Audubon California is taking the unusual step of turning to crowdfunding: the group is trying to raise $40,000 in the next few hours, with the proceeds going to feed the farmer's livestock through the nesting season.

Tricolored blackbirds are known for roosting in massive flocks, and had populations numbered in the millions during the 19th century. Since then, the birds' numbers have diminished sharply in the face of urban development and expanding agriculture, which can cause predicaments similar to the one currently faced in Madera County. The Audubon Society has already announced that if they are able to raise more than the funds necessary to protect today's flock of tricolored blackbirds, additional proceeds will go toward developing long-term solutions to protect the rare species.

To donate to the Audubon Society campaign, visit Audubon California's fundraising page.