Only two of seven geese survived after being rescued from the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, the International Bird Rescue said in a news release. 

On July 31, a flock of 15 Canada geese landed on and ended up trapped in one of the tar pits. The birds were at risk of suffocation and sustained skin burns, but the International Bird Rescue was able to bring seven of the birds into its care and remove the sticky substance. All seven birds suffered capture myopathy, “where muscle damage results from extreme exertion or struggling,” according to the news release. Unfortunately, five of the seven birds died following the rescue.

“It’s heartbreaking to see accidents like this occur,” JD Bergeron, the organization’s CEO, said in the release. “Birds in a changing world face dwindling natural habitat, and lack of habitat is a big problem for the wild animals that call Los Angeles home.”

“Tar Pits” is a misnomer, as the pits are not made from tar but asphalt, “the lowest grade of crude oil,” according to the La Brea Tar Pits website. While the ongoing excavations at the archaeological site in downtown Los Angeles are fenced off, they aren’t covered from above.

“It is natural for animals to become trapped in the tar, but in a huge city with little wildlife habitat, the lake can look very attractive to animals,” Bergeron said. In fact, the natural phenomenon has been happening for more than 60,000 years, according to the park, and is why scientists have found more than 1 million bones at the site. 

The Canada goose can be identified by its long black neck, white cheek patch and brown body. The species commonly migrates through California but has been known to stop and stay awhile. It’s commonly spotted in Los Angeles, recently in places like Echo Park, just 7 miles from the La Brea Tar Pits.