Native Florida seabirds are exposed to life-threatening dangers every day by common practices, according to Save Our Seabirds of Sarasota.
SOS Founder Lee Fox said 99 percent of the time people don't know they're harming birds such as the sandhill crane.
"For instance, cranes can get fishing line on their feet and wind up losing their toes," Fox said. "Or the plastic that people put down to retard the growth of weeds gets stuck around their bills."
When this happens, birds cannot eat and they starve to death unless someone helps them.
SOS receives no public funding and relies exclusively on private donations. The group is holding a fundraising dinner Thursday at the Long Boat Key Club and Resort.
SOS rehabilitates at least 1,000 birds found along Florida's coast every year.
"Although the actual rehabilitation is very, very important, it's just a Band-Aid unless we educate people about what is happening to the birds and how they can help."
Two key tips: Never feed seabirds and dispose of fishing line properly, since many marine animals and birds can become entangled in it.
