Nearly 100 seabirds have been rescued after a one-square-mile oil slick was spotted off the Santa Barbara coast, and wildlife officials say more are expected in the coming days.

According to International Bird Rescue, 96 Western Grebes and one other species have been brought into care this week at the organization’s Los Angeles Wildlife Center in San Pedro. Most of the birds have been found in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, with one recovered in Malibu, officials said.

Wildlife officials believe the slick was likely caused by natural seep activity off the Santa Barbara coast. Because the event appears to be naturally occurring rather than a commercial spill, there are no dedicated cleanup funds, leaving the nonprofit to cover rehabilitation costs on its own.

JD Bergeron, CEO of Int

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