The Toronto Wildlife Centre says it is seeing an increasing number of water birds being rescued due to the frigid cold – a situation that can lead to a "grebe-mageddon."
Grebes, a close cousin to the loon, live most of their lives in the water. The TWC says except for when the birds are incubating their eggs in a nest, grebes are usually found in water or in flight. The birds also rely on open water to hunt for fish.
This year's extreme winter weather, however, is threatening the grebes' natural habitat. According to the TWC, nearly 83 per cent of the Great Lakes have frozen over, meaning many of the birds have nowhere to go.
"It's a grebe-mageddon," TWC spokesperson Julia Pietrus said in a statement on Wednesday.
The organization says grebes are being admitted daily, and they are "struggling to keep up." They say they are in need of pools, enclosures, fish, and medical supplies to help care for the birds.
Last year, more than 130 birds of different species were admitted to the TWC's care due to the Great Lakes freezing over. The group says it was their busiest winter so far, and they believe this year will be just as busy.
"Our staff and volunteers are already working long hours to keep up, and we are worried the floodgates are opening," TWC’s executive director Nathalie Karvonen said in the statement. "We will need the community’s help to help our wildlife."
The TWC says it may need to transport the rescued birds to the Atlantic Ocean for release as "soon there will be no options."
