Western Australian Seabird Rescue (WASR) formally commenced in 2003 after several wildlife carers in the Mandurah District struggled with severe fishing line entanglements that occurred with pelicans in the Peel-Harvey Estuary, a popular fishing and boating area 70km south of Perth, Western Australia.

WASR is an off-shoot of the Ballina (NSW) based Australian Seabird Rescue, founded by the late Lance Ferris and his partner Marny Bonner.

Through the generosity and funding support of the City of Mandurah, Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Planning and Infrastructure (Coastwest) and Protection of the Earth and Wildlife Association (PEWA) Lance and Marny visited Western Australia in 2003 and 2006 to conduct training workshops.

The workshops - held in Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, Augusta and Albany - helped build the knowledge base in the state and provided volunteers with new and invaluable pelican rescue skills. WASR operates under licence from the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Today, nearly mid way through 2008, WASR has rescued and rehabilitated over 150 pelicans and other sea and fresh water birds from fishing line entanglements, boat accidents and – rather sadly – from human abuse. WASR members are committed to rehabilitating bird and other sea creatures with the aim of releasing them back in the wild. We take great pride in the work we do and at the same feel so rewarded for being able to help these magnificent creatures.

Some of the magnificent seabirds we’ve rehabilitated and released include the threatened Wandering Albatross, the Yellow-Nosed Albatross, the Light Mantled Sooty, numerous Shearwaters, Petrels, Penguins, Gannets, Cormorants, Terns and Prions – some of these birds can be found in our photo gallery.

To contact WASR please phone our rescue line on '0418 952 683.